Chaos Breaks Out as MCAs Clash During County Assemblies Forum
The County Assemblies Forum (CAF) meeting held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, February 19, turned chaotic after a heated altercation broke out among Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
Although the forum initially began in an orderly manner, tensions quickly escalated when disagreements arose over how the meeting was being managed. A section of the MCAs engaged in a physical confrontation, forcing other officials to step in and restore order.
Nairobi Majority Leader at the Centre of the Chaos
According to footage obtained by newshub.co.ke, the scuffle involved several MCAs, with Nairobi County Majority Leader Peter Imwatok emerging as the main subject of contention. Some members accused Imwatok of blocking them from voicing their opinions, leading to an intense confrontation.
In the video, some visibly angry MCAs had to be physically restrained as they attempted to engage in a fistfight, while others watched the commotion unfold.
Imwatok has been a controversial figure in recent weeks, particularly among MCAs from Busia County, who have accused him of engaging in divisive politics.
Busia MCA Beatrice Akinyi and Burumba MCA Tony Onyango, among others, claim that Imwatok has been trying to divide the Western Kenya political bloc during his visits to their region.
MCAs Issue Threat Over County Disputes
Aside from the altercation, MCAs used the forum to renew their long-standing dispute with the Council of Governors (CoG). They issued a stern warning, threatening to shut down operations in all 47 county assemblies starting Monday, February 24, if their demands for better salaries and financial independence were not met.
At the heart of the dispute is the controversial Ward Development Fund (WDF). While MCAs argue that the fund allows them to directly address grassroots development issues, the CoG insists that it undermines the principle of separation of powers by giving MCAs executive responsibilities.
The legislators are also demanding financial autonomy, complaining that county assemblies are financially dependent on governors, which has reduced them to mere petitioners.
“We are tired of waiting. Starting Monday, we will suspend all county assembly operations until the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), the Council of Governors, and the Controller of Budget address our concerns,” the MCAs stated. They further accused governors of intentionally delaying fund disbursements, sometimes for over a month, making it difficult for them to perform their duties effectively.
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