March 26, Nairobi – The leadership crisis in Nyamira County Assembly has attracted the attention of the Office of the Controller of Budget (OCOB), which is now calling for clarification on the legitimate officeholders before the county government receives any budgetary releases. In a letter dated March 24, 2025, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, CBS, the Controller of Budget, urged the county to resolve the ongoing leadership dispute, stressing the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting court decisions.

The letter, addressed to Mr. Jones Omwenga, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning, comes amid mounting concerns over governance and financial disruptions within the county. Dr. Nyakang’o pointed out that three court cases are currently pending, which have only exacerbated the confusion surrounding the leadership of the Nyamira County Assembly. These include:

• Nyamira HCJR No. E007 of 2024: County Assembly of Nyamira vs. Enock Okero.
• Nyamira HCCHRPE T008 of 2024: Enock Okero v. Nyamira County Assembly and Others.
• Milimani HCCC E050 of 2025: County Assembly of Nyamira v. Central Bank of Kenya.

The Controller of Budget emphasized that OCOB is obligated by law to adhere to court rulings and will only recognize officeholders whose legitimacy is confirmed by the courts. As such, Dr. Nyakang’o has called on the Nyamira County government to publicly announce the rightful occupants of the Speaker and Clerk positions within the county assembly before any funds can be disbursed.

The leadership turmoil in the assembly has had far-reaching effects on governance and the management of county resources. Factions within the assembly continue to contest appointments, with power struggles creating uncertainty about the direction of the county’s legislative activities. This lack of clarity has hindered the adoption of crucial budgetary policies, leaving key development projects stalled and public service delivery in limbo.

Political analysts are warning that the prolonged leadership dispute could further undermine the county’s development prospects. The inability of the county assembly to function effectively risks delaying critical projects that are vital for local communities. Citizens have also expressed frustration over the standstill in legislative work, with many awaiting swift resolution of the legal battles to allow normal operations to resume.

The Controller of Budget’s intervention signals the potential for a freeze on financial releases to Nyamira County Assembly until the legitimate leadership framework is established.

The OCOB’s actions underscore the urgent need for the county government to address the leadership ambiguity to ensure that public funds are managed responsibly and in line with the law.

As the court cases continue to unfold, all eyes are on the judiciary and the Nyamira County government to bring clarity to the situation and resolve the governance crisis.

The future of the county’s development now hinges on the timely resolution of these leadership disputes, which have left many stakeholders—including Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and county officials—awaiting a legal verdict that will determine the rightful occupants of key offices in the assembly.

For now, the residents of Nyamira County, along with political observers, wait for the resolution of this critical issue, hoping for stability that will allow the county to move forward with its development agenda.

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