Members of the Kericho County Assembly led by Speaker Patrick Mutai have been summoned by the UDA party over recent chaos witnessed in the House.
In separate letters dispatched to the Speaker and the MCAs, the parties are required to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee for hearings.
UDA says a complaint has been lodged against the Speaker over his conduct during the session held on Friday, January 13, to discuss, among other issues, recent House leadership changes.
UDA accuses Speaker Mutai of failing to guide the house during the session.
The party says Mutai failed to guide the house on the party’s position regarding the changes and as a result, there arose confusion, confrontation, violence and commotion in the Assembly.
“These events are well within your knowledge and as a consequence, the interest, dignity and reputation of the party was compromised and lowered,” the letter dated January 13 reads in part.
“Article 75 of the Constitution of Kenya as read together with the code of conduct of the party together with your oath of office, provide clearly for the expected conduct of a party member serving in any position to which the party sponsored and supported him to.”
Party says Mutai failed to prevent chaos
Speaker Mutai is expected to appear before the disciplinary committee on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 9:00 am for the hearing of the matter.
“As a member of the party, you are expected to conduct your affairs in a manner that promotes its image, interests and accords to its values and principles, a duty which you failed to discharge in this instance,” the letter adds.
“Accordingly, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 29(iv)(v)(vi) and (vii) of the Constitution of UDA, you are hereby summoned to appear before the Disciplinary Committee on the 20th January 2023 at 9am at the Hustler Plaza,4th Floor, Board Room, for the hearing of the complaint against you.”
The accused may represent himself or appear with an advocate during the session.
“Kindly further note that if the complaint against you is established at the hearing, the consequences thereof are as provided in the party constitution under Article 29(viii),(ix),(xi) and (xii),” UDA added.
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The MCAs have also received summons via a separate letter.
Chaos erupted in the Assembly following the adoption by the Speaker of a list of House leaders as directed by the High Court on January 12.
The court had ordered the reinstatement of Londiani ward MCA Vincent Korir who had earlier been replaced by Paul Chirchir as Majority Leader.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) condemned the chaos, saying investigations into the incident are ongoing.
On Sunday, President William Ruto reprimanded the MCAs terming the incident as shameful.
Ruto accused the MCAs for wasting the Assembly’s time with endless selfish leadership wrangles.
“MCAs for Kericho stop the nonsense. You are wasting the Assembly’s time fighting for positions instead of doing the job that Kenyans elected you to do. Shame on you,” President Ruto said.
