By D, KNA
The County Assembly of Homa Bay has made leadership changes on its committees and de-whipped four Members of County Assembly (MCAs)
Those de whipped included Arujo Ward MCA Tony Otineo, his West Kasipul counterpart Vickins Bondo, North Kabuoch Ward MCA Boaz Kiri and nominated member Pauline Omogi.
The axed members said the changes were made as a form of punishment for associating with a senior national government official who hails from the county.
Bondo who served in the committees of water and agriculture, as well as justice and legal affairs, said they were not told the reason why they were removed.
“It is illegal and unlawful because no reasons were given on why we were removed,” he said.
Bondo claimed that some of his colleagues were not happy with their association with the senior national government official and had initiated the process of punishing them.
“There are services that can be offered by the national government, which devolved units cannot offer. Besides, we are in the broad based government and we were told to work with other parties as we target to get power,” the MCA said.
Otieno said he was removed from delegated county legislation committee, trade, lands, powers and privilege and house business committee.
He said nine of his colleagues have been affected by the changes after they were considered as rebels.
Otieno said he had written to the County assembly Speaker Polycap Okombo to give directions on whether he can be removed from a committee by members of ODM, when he was elected as an independent candidate.
On his part, Kiri defended himself saying he was free to relate with anyone, as long as he does not break the law.
He said all leaders should be respected and political representatives should be free to knock on doors to seek help for their electorates.
“When we meet other leaders, we discuss issues affecting our people,” the ward representative said.
However, the Speaker dismissed claims that the MCAs were removed from their committees for associating with a Senior government official.
He said MCAs can be removed from committees when they face discipline cases and for recording poor performance among other factors.
He added that appointment to county committees is purely based on experience and knowledge that members have.
“We also check on attendance. As leadership of the house, a recommendation was given for restructuring of the committees,” the speaker said.
