MCAs commence process of impeaching Steve Simba as Deputy Speaker


       
Embu Ward MCAs have started impeachment proceedings against Deputy Speaker Steve Simba to protest against his alleged “ineffective hands-off leadership style.”
At least 30 out of 33 MCAs endorsed the tabling of a Motion moved by Nominated MCA Edna Muisyo, stating that the entire August House had lost confidence in the Runyenjes Central MCA. The Motion at the same time demands that a fresh election to pick Simba’s successor be held within the next 10 days.
The MCAs are accusing Simba of belittling his colleagues and being carried away by hefty allowances in endless during retreats by the County Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations committee, consequently failing to perform his duty as the conduit between MCAs and Speaker Josiah Thiriku. Simba is also charged of abdicating his housekeeping duty as chairman of the Liaison Committee.
In addition, the Runyenjes Central MCA was said to have adopted dictatorial tendencies towards newly elected and nominated MCAs, terming them as unqualified to question his authority. Simba also allegedlypushed his way into the membership of seven Assembly committees, making him unavailable to act as the chairman of the chairmen of all other committees and hear their grievances and needs for facilitation.
While moving the Motion, Muisyo stated that Simba had openly displayed arrogance and aloofness to his counterparts, therefore thwarting efforts by MCAs to deliver on their mandate. She said he had been blind to the welfare of MCAs and has blocked the facilitation of Assembly committees to legislate.
However, despite the charged spirits exhibited by MCAs to execute the ouster, the Speaker deferred the debate ordered that both the accused and the accusing parties appear before the County Assembly Powers and Privileges committee for a fair hearing before reporting back to the House after one day. He said the laws of natural justice demanded that nobody be ‘crucified’ unheard.
Efforts by Simba to plead for three extra days to marshal a defence team to study the laws establishing the Deputy Speaker’s office proved futile after Thiriku ruled that the office in question was only existent in the Assembly Standing Orders but was not constitutionally recognised. He therefore said not all procedures of removing a constitutional office holder would apply because the Deputy Speakership was not constitutionally recognised.
The Assembly later adjourned, handing the embattled Deputy Speaker a slim lifeline until a day later when his fate would be sealed on account of the weight of grievances tabled before the Powers and Privileges committee, his defence and the report on findings by the committee which is responsible for enforcing MCA discipline.

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