Tensions escalated at the Kitui County Assembly after Speaker Kevin Katisya suspended 11 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), including Matinyani MCA Sylvester Munyalo, the sponsor of an impeachment motion against him.
Munyalo, a second-term MCA elected on a Narc Kenya ticket, had last week filed a notice of motion seeking Katisya’s removal from office. He accused the Speaker of abuse of office, conflict of interest, and gross violation of the Constitution. The motion had already garnered support, with 31 MCAs appending their signatures.
However, on Wednesday, Speaker Katisya invoked Standing Order No. 103A to suspend Munyalo and 10 other MCAs for 90 days, citing gross misconduct. He argued that their actions undermined the dignity of the assembly and disrupted its smooth operations.
The suspensions effectively stall the impeachment bid since motions in county assemblies are bound by strict timelines.
But Munyalo dismissed the Speaker’s move, terming it “of no consequence.” He insisted that only the Powers and Privileges Committee can suspend MCAs after a fair hearing.
“I want to tell you that the Speaker’s decision to read our names claiming we are suspended is of no consequence. Expect all of us in the assembly when sittings resume next week on Tuesday,” Munyalo declared.
He likened the suspension to a political war, vowing to continue with the impeachment push. Munyalo also ruled out going to court, saying: “The people we represent expect us to fight for them, and we must fight for ourselves in the assembly. We will fight to ensure we oust the Speaker. He has asked for it.”
Some of the suspended MCAs were also accused of causing chaos during Governor Julius Malombe’s recent State of the County Address, while others allegedly leaked confidential information to the press.
While Katisya maintains the suspensions are necessary to restore order, critics argue it is a tactical move aimed at derailing the impeachment process.
