The Siaya County Assembly has suspended East Asembo Member of County Assembly Gordon Onguru for 30 days over alleged derogatory remarks directed at President William Ruto and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
The decision followed a unanimous vote by MCAs who found the United Democratic Movement (UDM) ward representative guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a member of the county assembly.”
The House also cited alleged violations of the Constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act of 2012, and the Assembly’s Standing Orders.
Majority Whip Booker Bonyo, who moved the motion, told the Assembly that Onguru allegedly made offensive and sexually suggestive remarks during a public address in Oyugis Town, Homa Bay County.
Bonyo said the remarks were intended to demean and ridicule both national and county leadership, arguing that they violated constitutional standards of dignity and respect.
“The said utterances allegedly contained sexually offensive, derogatory, and demeaning statements directed at both the President and the Governor of Homa Bay County,” Bonyo said.
He further told MCAs that the remarks undermined constitutional values on equality, human dignity, and non-discrimination.
Lawmakers supporting the motion argued that the alleged comments also reflected negatively on women in leadership, warning that such conduct risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
They said public officers are expected to uphold integrity, respect, and decorum when addressing matters of governance and leadership.
However, a section of MCAs opposed the severity of the punishment, arguing that it was inconsistent to single out Onguru while allegedly ignoring other officials accused of making similar remarks.
The Assembly resolved to suspend Onguru for 30 days. During this period, he will not participate in plenary sittings or committee work and will be barred from accessing privileges attached to his office, except where allowed under Standing Orders.
Speaker George Okode directed that the matter be forwarded to the Committee on Powers and Privileges for further investigation.
The committee will determine whether Onguru’s conduct amounts to misconduct, breach of privilege, or violations of the Leadership and Integrity Act.
