Blow to Kisumu Speaker as court upholds impeachment
Viola Kosome
Embattled Kisumu Speaker Onyango Oloo has been dealt another blow after a labour relations court upheld the County Assembly decision to impeach him.
Kisumu Employment and Labour Relations judge Nduma Nderi yesterday dismissed Oloo’s suit, which sought to overturn his impeachment for lack of merit.
Justice Nderi said the impeachment was done in accordance with law.
The judge said 42 out of 48 Members of the County Assembly, which constituted 75 per cent threshold of the MCAs, passed an impeachment motion against the Speaker.
He ordered Oloo to return any County Assembly assets in his possession including the official county vehicle.
“The petition is dismissed because it lacks merit,” ruled Justice Nderi.
Oloo had moved to court on October 2 to challenge his removal, arguing his ouster process was unconstitutional.
In an application filed under a Certificate of Urgency, he sought six orders including stopping the county assembly from implementing a resolution to impeach him.
He also wanted the court to issue orders reinstating him pending the hearing and determination of his application.
Oloo was fighting to have all the benefits, allowances and privileges he enjoyed as the Speaker reinstated.
Addressing the press, Oloo expressed his displeasure with the verdict and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
The Assembly had asked the court to dismiss Oloo’s suit on grounds that he was removed from office procedurally.
