NYAMIRA: Nyamira County Assembly Speaker Enock Okero has been impeached following a vote by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). The decision was reached after a debate on the impeachment motion, with 23 MCAs voting in favor, thereby meeting the required two-thirds threshold to remove the already suspended speaker from office.

According to Kenya News Agency, the impeachment motion was initiated by Kiabonyoru ward MCA Vincent Benecha and seconded by Bomwagamo ward MCA Julius Nyankana. The accusations against Okero included gross violation of the constitution and misconduct. Specifically, Okero was charged with failing to prepare and present a report on the County Assembly Service Board’s operations, a violation of Section 36 of the County Assembly Service Act 2017.

Further allegations included discrimination against special elect members of the County Assembly by denying them one partisan staff, contrary to Act 27 (4) and (5) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and the provisions by the Commission on Reven
ue Allocation. In his defense, Okero cited budget constraints due to a bloated wage bill and lack of office space for additional staff as reasons for his actions.

Additionally, Okero faced accusations of retaining two County Assembly Service Board members despite their recall by nominating political parties, violating Section 12 (3) (c) of the County Assembly Service Act 2017. He was also accused of gross misconduct for allegedly hiring individuals to incite violence at the assembly premises, although he denied these claims, stating he was following a court order and addressing the public by demand.

Eleven MCAs abstained from voting, although they participated in the debate. Following the vote, the acting speaker announced that no further assembly business would occur until a new speaker is nominated, vetted, and approved.