Nyamira County is teetering on the brink of governance collapse as its assembly standoff spirals into a full-blown crisis, with the Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang’o facing fierce backlash for approving funds amid the chaos.
As of today, the county’s assembly remains split into two rival factions, paralyzing operations and leaving residents reeling, yet Nyakang’o’s decision to release a Sh8.1 billion budget has poured fuel on the fire.
The feud traces back to September 2024, when a failed impeachment attempt against Governor Amos Nyaribo ignited a power struggle. Impeached Speaker Enock Okero, backed by Nyaribo, leads “Bunge Mashinani” sittings outside the assembly, recently reviewing the 2025/2026 budget and health bills.
Meanwhile, Thaddeus Nyabaro, elected Speaker in December 2024 but overturned by the High Court in February, runs parallel sessions at the official chambers, where the mace resides.
This has birthed duplicated budgets, stalled a Sh5.8 billion audit query, and seen MCAs trade blows, with police clashing with youths amid allegations of hired goons wielding deadly weapons.
Nyakang’o, grilled by the Senate Devolution Committee on April 25, defended her move, insisting she deals solely with the County Executive Committee (CEC) Finance and adheres to Public Finance Management (PFM) rules.
She approved a Sh7.5 billion budget for 2024/2025, later boosted by a Sh410 million supplementary budget signed by Nyaribo and Okero in July 2024.
Yet, critics like Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni slam her, arguing the funds empower both factions, risking misuse.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has pointed fingers, accusing Nyaribo and Omogeni of orchestrating the chaos. The Senate probe highlights “systematic weakness” in Nyamira’s governance, with service delivery—roads, healthcare—grinding to a halt.
Nyakang’o’s approval, despite the standoff, raises questions about accountability. With both factions accessing funds, the risk of double-dipping looms large, especially as the audit remains unresolved.
Analysts warn this could be devolution’s undoing in Nyamira unless the Senate acts decisively. Governor Nyaribo’s camp insists the budget supports development, while Nyabaro’s faction cries foul, demanding a fresh election.
