Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu has sought the intervention of the Senate after the indefinite closure of the Machakos County Assembly last month.
Kavindu sought a statement from the standing committee on devolution and intergovernmental relations regarding the indefinite suspension that is affecting plenary and committee operations.
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to standing orders 24 and 25 of the County Assembly of Machakos standing orders. The Assembly, by a resolution dated 25th February 2025, approved its official calendar. The calendar stipulated that plenary sittings were scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 8th April 2025, to Wednesday, 14th May 2025. However, on the 8th of April 2025, the speaker of the County Assembly of Machakos issued a letter addressed to all honorable members and the general public informing them of the suspension of House and all committee sittings.” Kavindu said.
“The reason cited by the speaker was serious threats to her personal security that of the MCAs and the staff, following disruptions of the sittings on the 8th of April 2025. The letter further indicated that sittings will not resume until such a time when the safety of the speaker and members of the staff is assured.”She added.
Kavindu in the statement wants the committee to address under what legal and procedural framework did the speaker Suspend Assembly sittings, and whether due process was followed, the impact of this indefinite suspension on legislative business, including budgetary oversight and service delivery to the people of Machakos County.
Senator Kavinud also wants to know whether the speaker, members, and the staff of the County Assembly will be paid their salaries for the period the house and committee sittings will be under suspension, and the alternative dispute resolution mechanism available to County governments and County Assemblies.
