Kitui Assembly Speaker Kevin Katisya makes a Communication in the Assembly. Photo Andrew Mbuva 
By Andrew Mbuva
A bid to overhaul the leadership of the Wiper Democratic Movement Kenya in the Kitui County Assembly has been thwarted following a firm ruling by Speaker Hon. Kevin Kinengo Katisya during Wednesday’s afternoon plenary session.
In a formal communication from the Speaker’s office, Hon. Kinengo revealed that he had received a letter from Hon. Daniel Ngoima purporting to effect changes in the Majority Party’s leadership, including the positions of Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Majority Whip, and Deputy Majority Whip.
However, following a legal review conducted by the Clerk’s office, it was determined that Hon. Ngoima had not been formally recognized as the Majority Party Whip at the time of issuing the notice. This, the Speaker said, rendered the notification “procedurally defective” and without legal merit.
Citing Standing Order No. 15(9), Speaker Kinengo explained that only a duly recognized party whip has the authority to communicate leadership changes within a political party to the Speaker’s office.
“The communication by Hon. Ngoima does not meet the threshold established under our Standing Orders,” he said, asserting that he was under no legal obligation to act on it.
Further compounding the matter, the Speaker informed the Assembly that the High Court of Kenya had issued stay orders suspending any fresh elections within the Wiper Party for 30 days, effectively freezing any internal restructuring processes within the party.
“Any attempt to effect leadership changes during this period would be in contravention of a valid court order,” he warned.
As such, the Assembly was notified that the current leadership of the Majority Party remains unchanged with Harrison Maluki Mawia being the Leader of Majority Party, Bonface Katula Mukwate – Majority Party Whip and Godfrey Muthengi Ndagara – Deputy Majority Party Whip
In conclusion, Hon. Kinengo urged all Members of the County Assembly to respect the rule of law and allow the judicial process to run its full course. “Let us uphold the dignity of this August House and steer clear of actions that may plunge it into disrepute,” he emphasized.
The decision marks a significant moment for the Kitui County Assembly, underlining the centrality of due process and the rule of law in managing internal party affairs.
