Respond to misconduct claims, speaker ordered

Assembly speaker Ann Adul has seven days to answer to allegations of gross misconduct or else be impeached.

Ms Adul was given the ultimatum following a censure motion tabled by Kolwa Central Ward representative Calvin Odhiambo on Thursday.

Mr Odhiambo accused the speaker of sabotaging assembly business after allegedly hiding the mace at a police station.

“The mace is a symbol of authority and property of the county. It should not be handled by the police, who are an arm of the national government,” said Mr Odhiambo.

Ms Adul is accused of hiding the mace on Tuesday after Manyatta B Ward representative Nereah Okombo tabled a motion seeking to suspend the County Assembly Service Board, which the speaker chairs.

MISAPPROPRIATING FUNDS
Mr Okombo accused the board of flouting the County Government Act by misappropriating funds as well as failing to provide annual reports on the use of money.

Mr Odhiambo accused the speaker of intimidating members whenever they tabled motions seeking to question her conduct.

“The speaker has over time used her position as the chairperson of the board to spend public funds without the approval of the assembly,” he said.

Leader of Majority Samuel Ong’ow told the Nation on Monday that a motion before three assembly committees seeks to address the misconduct of the speaker.

“We had a session on Thursday evening where members raised several allegations against the speaker, which she must respond to within seven days,” he said.

He added: “The three committees will then deliberate on the matter and give members the way forward.”

Tourism Committee chairman Jacktone Onunga said most members felt the speaker overstepped her mandate in supervising assembly business.