By Team
A game of musical chairs is emerging in Homa Bay County with the nomination of the immediate former Speaker, Julius Gaya, as County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Trade, Tourism, Industry, Cooperative Development, and Marketing.
This follows Polycarp Okombo’s resignation and subsequent election as the fifth Speaker of the County Assembly of Homa Bay.
Gaya was forced to resign after 53 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) appended their signatures supporting his impeachment.
Now, the MCAs must contend with vetting their immediate former Speaker, either offering him a political lifeline or sending him back to the drawing board.
Both Gaya and Okombo hail from Central Ward in Karachuonyo and are close neighbours in the village.
Recently, Gaya was summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which is investigating his academic credentials. Gaya has appeared twice before the EACC Southern Nyanza office for interrogation regarding his papers, though the commission’s report is yet to be released.
In a press release, the Chief Officer of Public Communication, Mrs Atieno Otieno, stated that Governor Gladys Wanga had nominated Gaya as the CEC for Trade. “I wish to announce the nomination of Julius Gaya as CEC for Trade, Industry, Tourism, Cooperative Development, and Marketing. This follows the resignation of CEC Polycarp Okombo, who has been elected as the Speaker of the Assembly. Julius Gaya is an experienced leader with extensive expertise in leadership and governance,” said Wanga.
Wanga added that the nomination had been forwarded to the Assembly for action.
Before Gaya’s resignation, the Governor held a critical meeting with the MCAs, attempting to persuade them to abandon the impeachment motion, but they declined.
Sources told Western Insight Newspaper that after the failed intervention, Gaya had no choice but to resign.
Okombo was elected Speaker during Thursday’s session, resoundingly winning with a majority vote against his three opponents.
Gaya fell out with the MCAs over allegations of high-handedness and failure to pay their allowances, among other grievances.
Gaya played a pivotal role in Wanga’s gubernatorial campaign during the 2022 elections and was promised the Speaker’s position. He is considered a close ally and confidant of Wanga and was seen as one of her most loyal supporters in the Assembly.
During Okombo’s tenure, he presided over the launch and official opening of the now-defunct Kigoto Maize Mill. The proposed leasing of the mill was halted by the Homa Bay court after a contractor challenged the leasing process, citing unpaid fees of Ksh 6 million owed by the County.
