32 Wajir MCAs resolve to impeach assembly speaker, unseat clerk in first instance of clash

The clerk of Wajir County Assembly, Osman Mohamed (standing) and the speaker Yakub at the chambers in Wajir. (Courtesy)

By:  Abdikadir Ukash

NAIROBI—Thirty-two Wajir County assembly members now want to impeach the county speaker and unseat the county assembly clerk in an unprecedented move that could tear the house apart.

In a heated meeting at Kalimanjaro Hotel in Nairobi, the MCAs resolved to move ahead with the plan which revolves around unpaid allowances and “lack of commitment by the county speaker to champion the representative’s welfare.”

The majority of the MCAs are drawn from Wajir South, Tarbaj and Wajir West.

According to an MCA who spoke to Kulan Post in confidence,  the meeting was called after the representatives felt that the clerk was not ready to pay for their travel to and fro Wajir and accommodation at the city.

The MCAs are in Nairobi for a training by Ahadi Kenya which has since cancelled the event after majority of them declined to attend.

“We were told to come by our own means and spend in Nairobi and later claim the money,” the MCA from Wajir town said.

He noted that their colleagues from Mandera have been in Nairobi for over a month at the expense of the training providers in conjunction with the county assembly.

“The speaker who is suppose to protect our welfare is conspicuously silent and he seems unbothered by what is happening to us,” he said.

As a result, the representative have resolved to travel back to Wajir and initiate a process of removing the speaker and the county clerk.

Speaking to Kulan Post, the county assembly clerk,  Osman Mohamed Adan said he was not aware of the meeting, adding that if at all it took place, the move would end in vain.

The county assembly of Wajir is yet to constitute the County Assembly Service Boards which has the authority to appoint persons to hold or act in offices of the county public service.

“I am not aware of such moves. But in any case, clerk of a county assembly is not a state officer under the Kenyan laws and hence any removal of the clerk can only be done through the county assembly service board,” Osman said.

The county speaker, Ibrahim Ahmed said he shares good relations with the MCAs.

“The only thing I am aware of is that we are resuming business at the assembly next week on Tuesday,” he said.

“You can come and nothing will happen,” he added.

The disgruntled MCAs now want the governor, Mohamed Abdi to intervene and resolve the matter. According to people close to the governor, he is ready to mediate if the matter will be escalated to his attention.