Dj Vnyash
Homa Bay County Assembly Speaker Julius Gaya has stepped down from his position in what appears to be a calculated move to avoid impeachment.
The resignation was announced hours before an impeachment motion against him was scheduled to be debated during a County Assembly sitting on Tuesday, November 12.
Deputy Speaker Okings Okomo confirmed Gaya’s resignation on the Assembly floor, stating that it adhered to the proper procedure after receiving Gaya’s resignation letter from the Clerk.
“Honorable Members, I received the resignation letter of Hon. Julius Gaya addressed to the Clerk of the Assembly,” Okomo said. He also reminded members of Standing Order 14A (1), which mandates that a speaker intending to resign must submit a written resignation to the Clerk.
The announcement was met with applause and the signature foot-stomping from Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), signaling their approval of Gaya’s decision.
In his resignation letter, Gaya expressed gratitude to the MCAs for allowing him to serve as the third Speaker of the County Assembly under the 2010 Constitution. Gaya had been elected Speaker in September 2022, shortly after the General Election, defeating his closest rival, former Gwassi North MCA Evans Marieba, in a landslide victory. Gaya secured 40 votes from the 54 MCAs, compared to Marieba’s 14.
This victory was significant for Gaya, who had lost his bid to retain the Central Karachuonyo Ward seat in the 2022 elections. However, his tenure took a contentious turn as the same MCAs who had supported him initiated impeachment proceedings against him.
The exact reasons for the impeachment motion remain unclear, but Gaya chose to resign ahead of the scheduled proceedings. Following his resignation, Deputy Speaker Okomo declared the Speaker’s position vacant.
