Kenyans are questioning the integrity of the Members of the County Assembly following their endless quarrel and fights seen across the nation as the latest witnessed in Kisumu County on Tuesday.
Chaos erupted at the county following fresh leadership tussle that took centre stage with the removal of the budget committee chairperson.
Blows were exchanged as a section of MCAs opposed to the swearing in of Central Kisumu Ward MCA Judith Ogaga as the new chairperson of the committee made a futile attempt to block the process.
One of the MCAs, at one point, even grabbed the mace and attempted to run with it outside the assembly before he was tackled by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Tensions ensued when a group led by Majority leader Kenneth Onyango questioned the process that led to the removal of the former budget committee chair, Kolwa East MCA Stephen Owiti.
Speaker Onyango Oloo said that Mr. Owiti was ousted after 10 MCAs signed a petition for his removal.
The Mr. Onyango-led group also protested about the order paper that had been presented before the house and accused Speaker Oloo of dictating operations at the assembly.
Tension intensified in the afternoon when the new budget chairperson took the microphone to take an oath.
The disgruntled MCAs shouted and approached her, forcing the Speaker to suspend sittings for about 15 minutes.
When the assembly resumed, Ms. Ogaga took the oath as the assembly orderlies kept the section of MCAs who were opposed to the change of leadership at bay.
Speaking to the press, the majority leader claimed the process of removal of the budget chairperson was not done in accordance with the law.
“We are not opposed to the removal of the budget chairperson but we cannot accept when things are not done in accordance with the law,” said Onyango.
Mr. Onyango claimed that the motive was a plan to serve particular interest and said that the ODM will not participate in the house business until the order is restored.
Mr Owiti, the ousted budget chair claimed that the plan to oust him was as a result of his hard stand and war on impunity as well as his committee’s decision to reject a 200 million that was set aside to construct new assembly premises.