The swearing in of 54 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) in Homa Bay has been scheduled for September 21, when the assembly convenes for its first sitting.
Assembly Clerk, Faith Apuko said all preparations are set to welcome the Members officially to the house, adding the position of the Speakers has also been advertised in the Kenya gazette.
“We are well prepared; we have all documents in place as well as the Standing Orders which will guide members in deliberations in the house. We also have the Constitution, so I would say that we are good to go,” she said.
“The governor has gazetted the first sitting next week Wednesday when we will go ahead and swear in members on the same day. We will then proceed to elect the Speaker as per Article 178 of the Constitution,” added Ms. Apuko.
After the Speaker is sworn in, the Constitution grants him power to lead in the election of his deputy and in so doing, the House will be fully constituted to start its operations for the third assembly.
The position of the Speaker was advertised yesterday and will run until next week Monday before shortlisting candidates.
She said that any MCA can apply for the position as the constitution allows them to do so.
“When you look at the advert, the qualifications of a Speaker are envisioned in the constitution under article 193. It allows MCAs to contest for the house’s Speaker position and one does not need a law degree or any other degree.
As long as you have the qualifications under article 193, said the Clerk, then you are qualified to be a Speaker.
“So far we have not had people coming out for the position. The nomination papers have been available since yesterday and so we will find out those who have the interest by Monday,” said Ms. Apuko.
The MCAs on Friday also underwent an orientation at the county assembly ahead of next week’s swearing in.
By Sitna Omar
