Court Reinstates 11 MCAs Suspended by Speaker Kinengo

The ruling, delivered by Hon. Karani Elizabeth Wairimu on 6th October 2025, ordered the immediate suspension of the Speaker’s disciplinary notice and allowed the affected MCAs to resume their duties from Tuesday, 8th October. The court further directed that the complainant may file an affidavit within 14 days if necessary, pending the mention of the case on 25th November 2025.

The eleven MCAs had been suspended through a letter of communication from Speaker Kinengo dated 1st October 2025, accusing them of gross misconduct and disorderly behaviour. The suspensions barred them from accessing the Assembly precincts or participating in any Assembly business, activities, or programmes for 90 calendar days.

The Speaker’s decision was made pursuant to Standing Order No. 103A(1)(g) and (3), which empowers the Speaker to take disciplinary action against members whose conduct is deemed detrimental to the dignity of the County Assembly.

Among those affected were Hon. Mathew Ngovi Vuthi (Chuluni) and Hon. Hussein Mwandia (Ikutha), both members of the County Assembly Service Board. The two were accused of leaking confidential information to the press that was still under consideration by the Board, allegedly undermining the integrity of the office.

The other nine MCAs – Hon. Munyoki Mwinzi (Kyuso), Hon. Jacinta Mary Mwoni (Nominated), Hon. Daniel Kimanzi Ngoima (Township), Hon. Cyrus Musyoka Kisavi (Ikanga/Kyatune), Hon. Mercy Muliwa Muema (Nominated), Hon. Mary P. Ndumbu (Nominated), Hon. Erastus Musyoka Mbuno (Endau/Malalani), Hon. Sylvester Kitheka Munyalo (Matinyani), and Hon. Mary Mwende Mutune (Nominated) – were suspended for alleged misconduct during a public meeting convened by Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Makau Malombe.

The Speaker accused them of violating Standing Order No. 103A(1)(f) by disrupting official Assembly proceedings and demeaning the dignity of the Speaker’s office.

The suspensions came amid rising political tension within the Kitui County Assembly, where divisions have emerged between the Speaker and some majority Wiper Party MCAs. Several previous attempts to impeach Speaker Kinengo have failed, despite a recent motion reportedly signed by 36 members seeking his removal.

The court’s decision has been viewed as a significant victory for the embattled MCAs, who argued that the suspensions were politically motivated and intended to silence dissenting voices within the Assembly.

Led by Matinyani MCA Hon. Sylvester Munyalo Kitheka, these MCAs were escorted back to the Assembly by supporters who insisted they were returning to continue fighting for their constituents. "Speaker Kinengo can't stop us from working for our voters and delivering what they expect of us," Munyalo said. The MCAs also vowed to proceed with the impeachment motion, stating: "Speaker Kinengo must go! We are going to continue with our motion to remove him from office."

As the matter awaits mention in late November, Kitui residents and political observers will be keenly watching whether the ruling paves the way for reconciliation or further deepens the rift between Speaker Kinengo and the majority Members of the County Assembly.