Court stops bid to question Mombasa Speaker over claims

Next Tuesday’s County Assembly sitting in which the Speaker is expected to respond to corruption and abuse of office claims might not take place, following a court order.

Deputy Speaker Mswabah Rashid on Tuesday said Speaker Thadius Rajwayi will next week be given a chance to defend himself against a notice of motion accusing him of corruption, abuse of office and incompetence.

This was after the Speaker temporarily stepped down to allow members to discuss a motion seeking his removal.

At least 15 MCAs had signed the notice of motion demanding the removal of Mr Rajwayi from office following the corruption and abuse of office allegations.

Attempts by Kongowea MCA Jabess Oduor to stop an assembly session in which the MCAs were discussing the Speaker were fruitless after he served court orders to members.

Mr Rashid overruled him saying he was supposed to serve the court order to the clerk, Mr Salim Juma, instead of the members.

But on Thursday, Mr Oduor said there was no way the members could have a sitting next Tuesday since the clerk had been served with a court order.

He said in case the clerk convenes the Assembly session then he will be in contempt of court.

According to the court order, the Speaker was granted leave to file an application for a judicial review to have an order prohibiting the clerk from convening assembly sessions.

On Thursday, the clerk could not be reached for comment as he could not be reached by phone.

On Wednesday, Nominated MCA Mohamed Hatimy, who has been spearheading the removal of the speaker said majority of members want him to quit over allegations of corruption, abuse of office and incompetence.