Nyamira County Faces Possible Suspension Amid Leadership Crisis
Nyamira County is on the brink of suspension as two rival factions continue to battle for control of the County Assembly, creating a chaotic and unprecedented governance situation.
On April 9, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka expressed deep concern over the standoff, urging for an amicable resolution.
“If they don’t agree as adults, the Senate Committee on Devolution may recommend disbanding the county,” Onyonka warned during an interview on Citizen TV.
The Senate was left stunned after learning on April 8 that Nyamira currently has two parallel assemblies—each with its own Speaker, separate sittings, and independent claims for allowances.
Despite attempts by the Senate Devolution Committee to mediate the crisis by meeting both factions, no breakthrough was achieved. Each group has its own clerk and is seeking funding from the Controller of Budget, raising red flags over the legality of their activities and potential misuse of public resources.
One faction is led by Enock Okero, who was impeached four months ago but continues to hold sittings at gazetted venues outside the main assembly. Okero maintains that the assembly is unsafe and that his impeachment is still under legal challenge.
“There are High Court orders issued on December 16 that preserved me as the Speaker of the Nyamira County Assembly,” he said. “These orders have not been vacated, and my sittings in alternative venues are both legal and necessary for my safety.”
The opposing faction is headed by Deputy Speaker Thaddeus Nyabaro, who conducts sittings within the official County Assembly buildings. Nyabaro insists Okero’s actions are illegal and has called for sanctions against him. He also accused Governor Amos Nyaribo of backing the Okero faction.
The situation escalated further during a Senate session, where tensions between Senators Onyonka and Okongo Omogeni nearly turned physical.
Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o said her office had received letters from both assemblies but was uncertain which one to recognize.
“I want to clarify that my office does not deal directly with County Assemblies. We work with the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Finance,” she explained. According to official finance records, Speaker Okero and Clerk Silvanus Nyamora are still recognized.
Senator Omogeni raised concerns about safeguarding public funds amid the impasse. However, Nyakang’o clarified that her office only monitors budget utilization at the vote level and does not oversee individual transactions. She urged both factions to rely on their internal audit mechanisms and emphasized that resolving political disputes falls outside her mandate.
Okero attributed his impeachment to political retaliation after 22 MCAs voted to impeach Governor Nyaribo, accusing the Governor of supporting him.
Nyabaro, on the other hand, maintained that Okero’s impeachment followed due process and that all official proceedings, including the use of the assembly mace, are conducted at the assembly premises in Nyamira Town.
With both factions refusing to compromise, they returned to Nyamira and held parallel sittings on Wednesday, deepening the standoff and leaving the county’s governance in a precarious state.
