Embu County Assembly business stalls as MCAs skip sittings for Mbeere North campaigns

Business at the Embu County Assembly has stalled for several days following persistent quorum hitches, with Ruguru-Ngandori MCA Harrison Muturi Mwombo accusing colleagues of abandoning legislative duties to participate in the Mbeere North by-election campaigns.

Muturi, an independent second-term legislator, told the House that MCAs have increasingly chosen to join campaign convoys instead of attending official sittings, leading to repeated adjournments despite a packed order paper.

Raising the concern before the Speaker, Muturi said the ongoing absenteeism was jeopardising the Assembly’s operations and called for a formal directive requiring all 30 MCAs to attend sessions without fail.

“It is absurd that the Embu County Assembly is struggling to raise a quorum when only two MCAs are actively engaged in the Mbeere North by-election,” he said, referring to Evurori MCA Duncan Mbui (CCK) and Muminji MCA Newton Kariuki Ndwiga (DP).

Kiambere MCA Lenny Masters, however, challenged Muturi on a point of order, saying he was out of line since the day’s order paper was exclusively for motions.

Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh, presiding over the sitting, ordered quorum bells to be rung for ten minutes to summon absent members. None responded.

Swaleh expressed concern over the growing trend of absenteeism, urging MCAs to prioritise their constitutional obligations.

“If any member is unable to attend a sitting, they must communicate officially. The Assembly should not be struggling to meet quorum,” he said.

Tuesday’s session was adjourned less than ten minutes after it began due to the quorum deficit, marking yet another interruption to county legislative business.