Chaos broke out in the Nyamira County Assembly on Tuesday, October 8 as Speaker Enoch Okero was forcefully ousted from office by a group of enraged Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
The dramatic expulsion followed heated confrontations in the assembly chambers, culminating in fistfights that led to the suspension of House proceedings.
The upheaval came in the wake of the failed impeachment of Governor Amos Nyaribo, highlighting the deepening political rifts within the county’s leadership.
A video from the scene captured MCAs physically ejecting Okero from his office, pushing him toward his car, and confiscating documents in his possession. The confrontation is believed to stem from allegations of corruption, with Okero accused of siding with a faction seeking to protect Governor Nyaribo from impeachment.
The standoff occurred as Okero prepared to announce court orders that would have reinstated former Majority Leader Mr. Mose and two members of the County Assembly Service Board (CASB), who had been removed for supporting Nyaribo during his impeachment attempt. Their reinstatement sparked fierce opposition from MCAs who had pushed for the governor’s ouster.
Last month, Governor Nyaribo narrowly escaped impeachment after 22 out of 34 MCAs voted for his removal—falling just one vote short of the 23 votes required to pass the motion.
The failed impeachment has left a bitter divide among the MCAs, with many now seeking retribution against those who opposed their efforts.
Governor Nyaribo faced charges of gross constitutional violations and incompetence, accusations that, if proven, could have led to his removal from office.
During the impeachment proceedings, MCAs cited Article 181 of the Constitution and the County Government Act, accusing Nyaribo of failing in his responsibilities.
Okero, a former MCA of Manga Ward, was initially elected Speaker with overwhelming support, securing 34 votes in the first round of elections. His closest competitor, former Speaker Moffat Teya, garnered only nine votes, reflecting Okero’s broad backing at the time. However, his political fortunes have taken a sharp downturn as the struggle for control over Nyamira’s leadership intensifies.
