Kericho Assembly’s Majority Leader, Whip Reinstated by UDA

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has reinstated Vincent Korir as the majority leader of the Kericho County Assembly and Haron Rotich as the majority whip.

This gives leeway to the Ward Representatives to demand for the resignation of Patrick Mutai as Speaker of the Assembly.

UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina noted that the party stands by its earlier judgment over the House Leadership in a letter dated November 14 to the Clerk of the County Assembly Martin Epus.

The UDA letter comes after Deputy Speaker Erick Bett’s clarification request in a letter to the party dated November 10 regarding alleged leadership changes in the Assembly.

Read: Kericho CECs Sworn in Despite Court Order Suspending Process

Bett who represents the Kipchebor ward, petitioned the Speaker to resign for allegedly fostering impunity and “defiling” the Kenyan constitution.

Korir who was ousted while attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt, stated that he was astonished to learn of the developments.

Gilbert Ng’etich, Kisiara MCA who the Speaker had named the new majority Whip, said he had been elected in absentia and had thus declined the position.

Anita Biegon, MCA for the Chemosot ward, expressed shock at learning that the House proceedings had been adjourned earlier than expected.

Read Also: Kericho Governor Chepkwony To Take Breather from Politics at the End of Tenure

Last week, County Executive Committee (CEC) were sworn in despite a court order suspending the process.

The Cabinet appointees took oath of office on November 2 the same day a court injunction was issued pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by Rono Kibet Benard.

In his suit, Mr Kibet argued that the list of nominees was unlawful as the nomination and vetting processes were not carried out within the law.

He told the court that neither the County Gazette nor the Kenya Gazette had published a list of the members of the selection panel.

Read Also: Wangui Ng’ang’a Dumps UDA, To Vie for Kandara MP Seat as an Independent Candidate

Additionally, he claimed that the list did not include a person with disability, and did not adequately reflect the diversity of the Kericho population because it ignored minority and underrepresented groups.

The majority of the nominees were public officers, which went against the qualifications listed in the job posting, and some have a variety of unresolved integrity issues, court documents showed.

“The recruitment exercise was carried out in contravention of the Constitution with total lack of transparency and was discriminatory against other Kenyans who are qualified to apply and compete for the said appointment positions,” he added.

Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, the county government, the county assembly and the assembly Speaker were listed as respondents.