Homa Bay adopts people's assembly motion

Homa Bay MCAs have passed a motion for establishing People's Assembly in the county, barely a day after their colleagues in Siaya adopted a similar proposal to push for opposition Nasa’s reform agenda.

On Thursday, the motion moved by the Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Ruth Ombura was said to be intended to enable the area residents have a forum of discussing matters of national importance.

Another key objective of the motion is to aid the National Supper Alliance leader Raila Odinga's desire of conducting a fresh presidential election in Kenya.

Speaking while moving the motion, Ms Ombura said time had come for civilians in the county to have forums of discussing matters which affect their daily lives.

DEBATE

"The constitution stipulates that the sovereign power belongs to the people. The powers will be exercised well only if we form the People's Assembly in this county," said Ms Ombura.

The motion was seconded by Chief Whip Sophie Salim. It was dominated by debate on frustrations which Kenyan fishermen undergo in the hands of Ugandan security personnel in Lake Victoria.

Kanyamwa Kosewe MCA Nicholas Owaka accused the State of failing to solve persistent conflict between Kenya and Uganda over ownership of Migingo and other Kenyan islands in Lake Victoria.

He gave example with the recent case in which 17 fishermen from Remba Island in Suba North sub-county were arrested by Ugandan security personnel. Mr Owaka argued that the People's Assembly will enable area residents discuss important matters that could lead to permanent solution of the controversies.

"Protection of our boarder is a key role of the national government but is unfortunate Uganda is controlling part of our land. These are some of the issues which will be solved well if we form the People's Assembly," said Mr Owaka.

UNANIMOUS

The Assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo said none of the members opposed the motion and raised a question which led to its approval.

On Wednesday, the Siaya County Assembly adopted a proposal to set up a people's assembly in the county as a way of forcing a repeat presidential election in February 2018.

The motion introduced for debate by Chief Whip Johannes Andiego said it is aimed at correcting the mistakes committed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in the August 8 and October 26 presidential elections.

Mr Andiego added that this will give Siaya residents an opportunity to discuss other contentious issues regarding the way they will be governed as well as decide their political future, being the first county assembly to approve the formation of a people's assembly.