Migori: 59 MCAs Vote To Impeach Speaker Charles Likowa

• 59 Members of the County Assembly unanimously voted to oust Migori Speaker Charles Owino Likowa
• The legislators accused Likowa of mismanaging County Assembly affairs and failing to discharge all his mandates as required
• Migori MCAs subsequently voted in Deputy Speaker Mathews Chacha to be the Speaker in an acting capacity

Embattled Migori County Assembly Speaker Charles Owino Likowa has been impeached.

How many Migori MCAs voted to oust the Speaker?

In an assembly session on Tuesday, April 23, all 59 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted to remove Likowa, citing mismanagement of House affairs and members' welfare, poor working conditions, and a lack of accountability.

Kaler ward MCA Thomas Akungo tabled the motion to oust Likowa, whose leadership had been challenged in court by his rival Isaac Aluochier.

All house members unanimously supported the ouster motion, adding to the troubles the veteran politician is facing.

Why was Migori Speaker impeached?

Addressing the press after the impeachment, the Majority Leader of the House, Kennedy Ngoro, mentioned that the speaker had been carelessly handling House affairs, prompting them to act before things got out of hand.

"It's shocking to us. We have tried complaining on serious matters in the House, but the speaker did not listen to us. Our speaker decided to avoid issues of concern and even abandoned his major duties. His being a public office, we thought it was time we oust him and find someone who is ready to work with the assembly and the executive to serve the people of Migori," he added.

Who is the new Migori Speaker?

The MCAs voted Deputy Speaker Mathews Chacha to be the Speaker in an acting capacity.

They attributed their decision to Chacha's leadership skills, describing him as considerate, focused, and a man of integrity.

Appreciating his colleagues' support, Chacha pledged to discharge his mandate impartially and with integrity as the House contemplated a substantive Speaker.

"We hope the issues raised by the members will be handled with the utmost care to avoid hindrance in the future," he said.

Likowa's tenure has been punctuated with legal suits.

Aluochier, who contested against him in the race to become the speaker, successfully sued him for being irregularly elected, nullifying his win.

The impeached Speaker sought orders to stay a verdict nullifying his election. The stay orders were overturned in March 2024, and the court ordered a fresh election for the speaker.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke