Bishop Abiero sees dissolution as solution to county assembly wars

A clergyman and a businessman want the Kisumu County Assembly dissolved if its wrangling does not end.

Bishop Mwai Abiero of ACK says the happenings in the county assembly are not expected of a mature democracy especially for Kisumu which has turned out to be a destination for trade and tourism.

“What we see is demonic and we urge politicians to come to their senses and talk as a people. Democracy is not about fist fights,” said Bishop Abiero in an interview with this newspaper on Friday.
“We want them to show cause why the assembly should not be dissolved. We demand that they apologise to Kenyans for abusing devolution,” he said.

A similar call was made by Eric Okeyo, a businessman who successfully sued the county following an illegal Sh18 billion waste management tender entered with a German company.
Mr Okeyo said: “We want a team formed to get views from the people of Kisumu on whether we still need this county government as currently constituted,”

The assembly has in the past week been in the news for the wrong reasons. There has been a protracted row between suspended Leader of Majority Samuel Ong’ow, Deputy Speaker Pamela Omino and ward reps.

Ms Omino was on Tuesday violently ejected from the House by members allied to Mr Ong’ow after she attempted to chair its sessions.

DEFYING SUSPENSION

On Thursday, some youths and members of the civil society locked the gates to the assembly. They accused Mr Ong’ow of defying his suspension by ODM Secretary-General Ababu Namwamba.
In a letter addressed to Mr Ong’ow, Mr Namwamba suspended him and his deputy, Mr John Olum, over gross misconduct.

Speaking to the Nation Sunday, Governor Jack Ranguma, Mr Olago Aluoch (Kisumu West MP), Mr Gor Sunguh (former Kisumu East MP), Bishop Abiero and MCAs Samuel Ong’ow and East Seme’s Aggrey Ogosi said the wrangling was a case of the minority wanting to have its way by all means.

The conflict persisted barely a week after ODM leader Raila Odinga held a reconciliatory meeting with the leaders including the governor and his deputy, Ms Ruth Odinga.

Mr Ranguma said some leaders want to capitalise on the division to push their agenda.

“There are three or four people who want to have their way, and I think that is wrong. Although the minority should also have their say, the majority must have their way,” he said.
Mr Aluoch said the assembly suffered from lack of respect for the law.

“It is easier to go the way of the law than to take shortcuts,” Mr Aluoch said. The suspension of Speaker Anne Adul, Mr Ong’ow and Mr Olum left a leadership vacuum in the assembly.

The Labour and Employment Court declared the election of Mr Gabriel Ochieng as Speaker unprocedural.

Mr Ong’ow, who vowed to keep his position, accused outside forces of sponsoring wars in the assembly to target those perceived as threats.

“I am the bona fide Leader of Majority. The purported letter of suspension is apolitical witch-hunt aimed at maligning my name,” he maintains.