A faction of Machakos County Assembly Members of County Assembly (MCAs) has escalated efforts to impeach Speaker Ann Kiusya, citing concerns over her alleged incompetence and obstruction of development initiatives. Over 38 MCAs convened a press conference on Tuesday, accusing Kiusya of hindering the assembly’s progress and failing to effectively oversee county operations.

The dissenting MCAs argue that Kiusya’s leadership has been detrimental to the assembly’s objectives, alleging that her actions have impeded the execution of vital development projects. They contend that her tenure has been marked by inefficiency, which has adversely affected the county’s governance and service delivery.

In response, a group of 22 MCAs loyal to Speaker Kiusya has vowed to thwart the impeachment motion. They claim that the motion is being orchestrated by individuals aiming to undermine Kiusya’s commitment to the assembly’s oversight role. Mwala MCA Brian Kisila stated, “We stand with our speaker and she is equal to the task.”

The assembly comprises 59 MCAs, with at least 45 votes required to pass an impeachment motion. The pro-Kiusya MCAs express confidence that those supporting the motion lack sufficient numbers to succeed. Kyeleni MCA Grace Bahati emphasized their solidarity, noting that Kiusya is the only female speaker in the country and deserves support.

This political turmoil in Machakos mirrors similar upheavals in other counties, such as Kirinyaga, where attempts to impeach county officials have led to chaos and physical confrontations within assembly chambers. These incidents highlight the volatile nature of county politics in Kenya and the challenges faced by elected officials in navigating internal assembly dynamics.