Assembly divided over MCA arrested in Migori activist murder case

Mombasa County Assembly members Thursday declined to discuss in the House the issue of one of their own currently being held by police in Rongo in Migori County, in relation to the murder of a political activist on Valentine’s Day.

Junda MCA Paul Onje was arrested after Mr Shem Shefa, the organising secretary of Migori County Youth Forum, was killed by unknown people outside a pub in Rongo town after a quarrel. 

The MCA was arrested alongside four other suspects and they may be arraigned in court on Tuesday.

In the House on Thursday, Tudor Ward representative Patrick Simiyu rose on a point of order and described Mr Onjes situation as sensitive since it involves one of them.

“I have seen in the media for the last two days a matter touching on one of our members Paul Onje in Migori. It is a serious charge placed upon him, and as a House we have to look into it,” Mr Simiyu said.

He said the MCA represents Mombasa and it was important the House gets clarification on the allegations.

ALLEGATIONS

However, Chaani MCA Stephen Wangudi shot up to say that the House should not deal with allegations and reports from the media.

“Mr Speaker we can’t follow the information from the media to address this issue. It is not proper for us to talk about it without an official communication to the assembly,” Mr Wangudi said.

Deputy Speaker Mswabah Rashid said the media was an authority and Mr Simiyu had the right to quote it.

Kipevu MCA Ibrahim Kondo said it would be unfair for members to discuss the matter, saying they had discussed it outside the House and that their Tudor colleague would be briefed.

“The Junda MCA is a member of this House and we cannot discuss his matter on the floor. I would ask that we continue with the House business,’ Mr Kondo said.

Tononoka Ward representative Saad Faraj told the House that the issue affecting the Junda MCA should be treated as speculation.