By Habil Onyango
Four candidates have been shortlisted for tomorrow (Thursday) Speaker election for Homa Bay County Assembly.
Among the four is the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Mr Polycap Okombo, who is seen as the government’s preferred candidate.
Others are Dozzel Tennor Orwa, Boniface Onyango Owino, and Innocent Masara Otieno.
The seat fell vacant after the resignation of Julius Gaya.
The seat had initially attracted 13 applicants; however, only four were shortlisted for the final exercise.
The four were shortlisted after returning their nomination application forms on time.
According to an advertisement in one of the dailies dated 14 November 2024, completed nomination papers with detailed curriculum vitae of the candidates were to be submitted to the Office of the Clerk at the County Assembly Building at least 48 hours before the House sitting, and not later than 9:30 am on 19 November 2024. These submissions were to be accompanied by the names and signatures of at least two Members of the County Assembly who supported the candidate, along with a declaration by them that the candidate was qualified and willing to serve as Speaker of the County Assembly.
According to communication from the Assembly’s Clerk’s Office, the seat had also attracted other aspirants, including Jairus Owino Ogondi, Polycarp Rachuonyo, Ojijo Zachayo Ogola, Shem Onyango, David Ronald Ngala, Apolo John, Thomas Otieno, Julius Otieno Juma, and Ezra Odondi Owino, who failed to submit their nomination forms.
The County Acting Clerk, Hannington Ochieng Day, stated that the elections would commence on Thursday at 9:30 am at the Assembly premises. “The election of the Speaker is slated for Thursday, 21 November 2024, from 9:30 am during a special sitting. This is in accordance with the provisions of Article 178 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and the Homa Bay Assembly Standing Orders,” reads the communication.
Mr Okombo, who currently serves as the County Executive Member for Trade and Investments, may have an upper hand due to support from the County Executives, led by Governor Gladys Wanga.
Gaya resigned from the Speaker’s position amid a censure motion by Members of the County Assembly. Once elected, the incoming Speaker will be the fifth one after the first Speaker, Samwel Ochillo, followed by Elizabeth See, Bob Kephas, and finally, Gaya since the onset of devolution.
It is, however, not clear why Gaya had to be impeached, as no impeachment motion has yet been made available to the public. Upon his resignation, Gaya expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the House as the third Speaker, having been elected on 21 September 2022.
Gaya had previously served as the Central Karachuonyo MCA for two terms under the tenure of former County Governor Cyprian Awiti before being elected Speaker. He dropped his third quest for the Central Karachuonyo MCA position in support of the election of the current Governor, Gladys Wanga, and was subsequently rewarded with the Speaker’s seat.
According to Majority Leader Richard Ogindo, out of the 54 Members of the County Assembly, a majority of 53 had already signed the petition supporting Gaya’s impeachment motion. “On behalf of all members, I would like to appreciate our former Speaker, Hon Julius Gaya, for the brave move he has undertaken by handing in his resignation letter,” said Ogindo. “Out of 54 members, only one member was against the petition to remove him from office. By deciding to resign, he made the best move before this House could table the impeachment motion against him,” added the Majority Leader.
Gaya took over from former Speaker Elizabeth See. After defeating his archrival, the former Gwassi North MCA Evance Marieba, he was elected as Speaker, garnering 40 votes out of a possible 54.
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