Political tensions within the Kitui County Assembly continue to simmer after Speaker Hon. Kinengo Katisya once again failed to formally communicate the changes made by the Wiper Party to the Assembly’s Majority leadership, despite a court order mandating such action.

The ongoing stalemate follows a ruling by Lady Justice Hon. Lucy Gitari of the Kitui High Court on Monday, July 28, which directed either Speaker Kinengo Katisya or his Deputy to communicate the leadership changes within the Majority side as submitted by the Wiper Party. However, during today’s Assembly sitting, Speaker Katisya said he had not officially received the court order, claiming to have only seen a copy circulating on WhatsApp.

“The Assembly is an independent arm of government and should not be intimidated or micromanaged from outside,” said Katisya. “While I respect court orders, due process must be followed.”

He assured the Assembly that he is looking into the matter and would address it officially next week, just before the house breaks for recess until early September.

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The delayed communication has reignited frustrations among the Wiper Party’s proposed new Majority leadership, who accuse the Speaker of undermining the rule of law and stalling legislative functions.

Addressing the press outside the Assembly, Kyuso Ward MCA Hon. Munyoki Mwinzi, the proposed new Majority Leader criticized Speaker Katisya for what he described as blatant contempt of court.

“The Speaker’s refusal to implement a lawful directive is a clear indication of incompetence,” Munyoki said. “The time we’re wasting on these leadership wrangles could be better spent debating the Governor’s State of the County Address and addressing issues that affect our people.”

Hon. Cyrus Kisavi Musyoka, the proposed Majority Deputy Whip and MCA for Ikanga/Kyatune Ward, also condemned the Speaker’s actions. He questioned the Speaker’s assertion that the Assembly’s Standing Orders take precedence over the Constitution and court rulings.

“Where on earth do Standing Orders supersede the Constitution and the rule of law?” Musyoka posed. “This is gross contempt of court by someone who calls himself a lawyer and it shows the Speaker’s lack of commitment to lawful governance.”

The impasse has continued to paralyze the Assembly’s legislative agenda, delaying crucial debates and decisions, and potentially affecting service delivery across Kitui County.

The new proposed Majority leadership by Wiper Democratic Movement in the Assembly includes; Kyuso Ward MCA Munyoki Mwinzi as the Majority Leader, Endau/Malalani MCA Dr. Erastus Mbuno as the Deputy Majority Leader, Kitui Township MCA Hon. Daniel Kimanzi Ngoima as the Majority Whip and the vibrant Ikanga/Kyatune Ward MCA Hon. Cyrus Musyoka Sonko as the Deputy Majority Whip.

As the wrangles persist, all eyes remain on Speaker Hon. Kinengo Katisya, who now faces growing pressure to adhere to the court ruling and formally communicate the leadership changes before the Assembly goes on recess. Failure to do so could invite further legal or political consequences and deepen the already widening rift within the county’s legislative body.

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