Calm has finally returned to the Nyamira County Assembly after nearly a year of a crippling leadership crisis that saw the devolved unit operate under two rival factions. The prolonged stalemate has ended with the formal assumption of office by Thaddeus Nyabaro as the new Speaker and Duke Onyari as Clerk.
The leadership vacuum began in September 2024, following the controversial ouster of former Speaker Enock Okero. Okero contested his removal in court, sparking a division within the Assembly. The split led to the emergence of parallel sessions — one led by the Deputy Speaker and Okero loyalists, and the other by a group that declared Nyabaro as Speaker. For months, the two groups operated independently, even writing separate letters to the Office of the Controller of Budget for funding approvals.
The bizarre situation came to a head on April 8, 2025, when the Senate Devolution Committee was left dumbfounded upon learning that Nyamira County was running two concurrent assemblies. Tensions rose during the Senate session, nearly escalating into a physical altercation between Senators Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira) and Richard Onyonka (Kisii), who exchanged heated words over the impasse.
Speaking at the County Assembly premises after officially taking office, Speaker Nyabaro called for unity and urged members from the rival “Bunge Mashinani” faction to rejoin the main House for legislative continuity. Majority Leader in the Assembly echoed the call, emphasizing the need for collective focus on service delivery.
Nyabaro also confirmed receipt of the County’s 2025/26 budget estimates, marking a significant step toward restoring legislative functions after months of stagnation.
The return to a single, functional Assembly is expected to ease tension in the county and enable the smooth execution of budgetary and development plans. With the leadership now consolidated, Nyamira residents hope for an end to political grandstanding and a renewed focus on service delivery and accountability.
