Leadership wrangles within the Nyamira County Assembly continue to escalate despite Senate intervention, with two rival factions refusing to cede ground as the House resumes from a five-week recess.
For over six months, the Assembly has been gripped by a power struggle between embattled Speaker Enock Ogori Okero and former Ekerenyo MCA Thadeus Nyabaro Ndubi, both of whom claim to be the legitimate presiding officer. The situation has resulted in a divided Assembly operating under parallel leadership structures, with tensions expected to flare as both camps insist they will take charge of House proceedings.
Nyabaro’s faction, which initially had the backing of a majority of MCAS, has maintained control of the main Assembly chambers, even after the High Court issued conservatory orders restraining any attempts to remove Okero from office. Despite being found in contempt of court, the group proceeded to impeach Okero and elect Nyabaro as Speaker, moves the court later ruled as illegal.
In defiance, Speaker Okero launched an alternative sitting, Bunge Mashinani, held across various sub-county locations since November 2024. His camp has overseen the passage of critical legislation, including the County Integrated Development Plan, Finance Bills, and the budget. The Okero faction currently controls the Assembly’s finances, with Acting Clerk Silvanus Nyamora holding signatory authority.
Meanwhile, Nyabaro’s faction has made sweeping leadership changes, including appointing a new County Assembly Services Board and a deputy speaker, Mr James Matinga. They have continued to occupy the Assembly’s official chambers and have declared that Okero will not be allowed entry.
Senate efforts to resolve the impasse appear to have stalled. While the Senate Committee on Devolution recommended that all Assembly business be conducted from the main chambers and that Bunge Mashinani sessions cease, the recommendations remain unimplemented. The matter has since been referred to the Senate’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), which is expected to rule on the legitimacy of Okero’s speakership and the legal standing of the Bunge Mashinani proceedings.
As both factions dig in, signs of compromise remain slim. Majority Leader Mr Nyambega confirmed that no negotiations had taken place and that proceedings would resume from the main chambers. On his part, Okero insisted he would resume duties at the chambers while defending Bunge Mashinani as lawful.
Tensions flared further after a public confrontation at a funeral between Nyabaro and Itibo MCA Lameck Nyakianga, who recognised Okero as Speaker while presenting condolences.
Even the Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms, Charles Bosire Angwenyi, weighed in, warning that Okero would not be allowed into the chambers, a stance that underscores the depth of the divisions.
Governor Amos Nyaribo has called on MCAs to uphold the rule of law and restore order within the Assembly, stating, “The matters the MCAs have been battling about have been handled very well by the Courts. Let the MCAs respect the rule of law and agree to work together for the benefit of our people.”
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes now turn to the JLAC’s forthcoming report, which is expected to provide direction on resolving the standoff that threatens to cripple the functioning of the Nyamira County Assembly.
