Minority MCAs stormed out of the House after Speaker Josiah Thiriku allowed debate on the report to proceed, despite their objections that the Selection Committee had not properly met to deliberate on the proposed changes.
The standoff briefly disrupted the Wednesday morning plenary session after the Speaker threatened to declare opposition Ward Representatives unruly and order them out of the Assembly. Debate eventually proceeded amid heated exchanges and accusations from both sides.
Minority rejects committee report
The minority faction accused the Selection Committee of preparing the report secretly and using it to remove or weaken MCAs perceived to be opposed to the county administration.
Minority Leader Ngari Mbaka, who represents Mavuria Ward, led Lenny Masters of Kiambere, Sammy Tito of Nthawa, Phillip Nzangi of Makima and Nominated MCA Yvone Mati out of the chamber in protest against the Speaker's decision to allow Majority Leader Peter Murithi, the Mbeti North MCA, to move the motion.
Mbeti South MCA Murithi Kiura was separately ejected from the Assembly chambers over what the Speaker described as indecent dressing.
Speaker Thiriku, however, defended the report, saying there was nothing procedurally wrong with it. He noted that the document had been signed by four of the eight members of the Selection Committee.
Thiriku further argued that previous reports had been considered by the Assembly even when they carried only the signature of the committee chairperson.
Calls for adjournment rejected
Attempts by some MCAs to have debate adjourned failed, with the minority insisting that the Selection Committee should first reach consensus on the proposed committee changes.
Speaking to the press outside the Assembly chambers, the minority MCAs argued that the Majority Leader should not have moved the motion before the Selection Committee had agreed on the reshuffle.
Mbaka accused Peter Muriithi of disregarding the Assembly's Standing Orders and alleged that there was a hidden motive behind the proposed changes.
Makima Ward MCA Phillip Nzangi accused the county executive of interfering with the affairs of the Assembly, claiming that the committee changes had been rushed to serve the interests of certain individuals.
Kiambere Ward MCA Lenny Masters similarly alleged that the reshuffle was intended to punish opposition MCAs who are not allied to Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
Despite the objections and the walkout by minority MCAs, the government-backed faction proceeded with the debate and passed the motion ratifying the committee report without opposition.
