MCAs clash over Majority Leader impeachment bid

Tension gripped the Homa Bay County Assembly as a planned ouster of Majority Leader Richard Ogindo led to a dramatic confrontation, with factions clashing physically at the assembly gates on Tuesday.

The crisis unfolded when a group of MCAs advocating for Ogindo’s removal were denied entry, leading to a “push-and-pull” battle with those supporting his leadership.

The situation escalated with the intervention of a group of youth, forcing the excluded MCAs to retreat.

Addressing journalists later in Kendu Bay Town, the pro-impeachment MCAs, led by Jeff Ongoro (Kanyaluo Ward), condemned the incident as an attempt to gag them.

They accused Ogindo of poor leadership, citing issues of mismanagement and frustration of staff within the assembly.

In a statement read by Apopo Lentana (Kanyadoto), the MCAs revealed their intention was to impeach Ogindo.Victor Okoth (Kaksingri West) voiced concerns over the expenditure of Sh265 million allocated for MCAs’ welfare, stating that requests for accountability were met with silence and accusations of being “rebels.”

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Ongoro asserted they had mobilized sufficient numbers for the impeachment, claiming support from 27 out of 46 ODM MCAs in the county assembly.

He challenged the opposing faction: “If they had numbers, why were they blocking us from entering the county assembly premises?”

Ongoro also clarified that their target was not Governor Gladys Wanga, appealing to her not to be drawn into the internal MCA dispute.

David Oloo (Kanyamwa Kologi) vowed that intimidation would not deter their impeachment efforts.

Conversely, Ogindo dismissed the allegations, asserting that he commanded the support of 43 out of 54 MCAs. “It is wrong for someone to say that 37 members signed to impeach me. I want to confirm to you that 43 MCAs out of 54 in this assembly are supporting me,” he declared at the county assembly premises, surrounded by his supporters.

Ogindo maintained that he would serve his full term, emphasizing that a Majority Leader can only be removed by the majority party’s MCAs.