Nairobi News

There was drama at the Kisumu county assembly on Tuesday after deputy Speaker Pamela Omino collapsed and was rushed to hospital following a fight with members.

Trouble in the Assembly began at 2pm after Mrs Omino blocked the acting speaker Gabriel Ochieng from entering the chambers.

Mrs Omino argued that she should preside over sittings of the county assembly owing to her position as deputy Speaker.

But the MCAs insisted that the mandate to chair session was transferred to Mr Ochieng after his election as acting Speaker.

She however remained adamant, leading to a confrontation between her and members who accused her of sabotaging House proceedings.

The confrontation turned ugly an hour later after members forced the mace into the debating chambers.

Mrs Omino attempted to access the chamber but was blocked by Assembly Serjeant-at-Arm leading to a confrontation that lasted over 10 minutes.

“I am a member of the House and the deputy speaker. Why don’t you allow me chair the sessions today?” she said.

Ms Omino said she will go by the resolutions of a meeting chaired by ODM leader Raila Odinga on April 18 where it was passed that she assumes her role as acting speaker.

“It is true we agreed on some issues at our today’s meeting; but we did not agree on the position of acting speaker which I should take over according to the law,” said Ms Omino.

However Leader of Majority Sanuel Ong’ow dismissed her argument, saying the Court of Appeal had allowed Mr Gabriel ochieng to chair House businesses pending the hearing of their case.

“The deputy speaker will use the office which is adjacent to the chambers. From now, the office of the speaker remains closed,” said Mr Ong’ow.

The Assembly moved to the court to appeal a decision by the Employment and Labour Relations court that reinstated Ms Ann Adul as Speaker.

Ms Ann Adul was impeached last October on grounds of misuse of funds and intimidation of members.