Impeached Kisumu Speaker Ann Adul breaks into locked office

Impeached Kisumu governor Ann Adul (in green) during an altercation with Kisumu MCAs as she forced her way into her office on November 03, 2014. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO 

In Summary

• I acted on instructions of the court that restored me to my position, says official

By MOSES ODHIAMBO
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Kisumu County Assembly Speaker on Monday forced her way back to office by breaking locks after the High Court quashed her impeachment.

Ms Ann Adul was accompanied by a crowd of supporters during the march to the county assembly on Monday morning.

The crowd helped her to gain access to the office.

Operations at the assembly were disrupted for several hours as police repulsed the crowd.

When the Nation interviewed her, Ms Adul said she had acted on a court order that had reinstated her.

(READ: Speaker Adul impeached over gross misconduct- VIDEO)

The High Court in Kisumu reinstated Ms Adul pending the hearing of her case this Friday. Lady Justice Esther Maina issued the orders barring members of the county assembly from evicting Ms Adul from her office and official residence.

Justice Maina also extended previous orders that had barred the House from electing a new Speaker and Clerk following the impeachment of Ms Adul.

On Monday, Kisumu MCAs protested Ms Adul’s forceful return to office.

Ms Adul, in her defence, told the Nation that the MCAs were being used by the executive to stop the county assembly from spending Sh500 million budgeted for its operations this financial year.

RETROGRESSIVE ACTS

“The MCAs have refused to obey court orders that restored me to the seat. These are retrogressive acts which have brought back the days of the old municipal councillors,” said Ms Adul.

“This is a wider scheme to steal from the county assembly coffers. The office of the governor has contributed significantly to this unending conflict,” she said.

But in a rejoinder, Leader of Majority Samuel Onyango Ong’ow reminded Ms Adul that the issues she was raising about the County Assembly Service Board being untouchable will not be accepted.

Mr Ong’ow said breaking into an office amounts to a criminal offence.

“We should be the ones asking the police to arrest Ms Adul. She should not think that the board is an independent body that cannot be scrutinised,” said Mr Ong’ow, who is also the deputy chairman of the board.

Ms Adul claimed that more than Sh17 million had been withdrawn from the assembly’s account in the last one week.

“The assembly has to run with or without this speaker. Furthermore, committees must continue operating. What she is claiming cannot be compared to the cases she is answering before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission,” said Mr Ong’ow.

Several MCAs who spoke to the Nation on Monday said they will not rest until the Speaker leaves office