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Leadership

Leadership

Office of the Speaker

Speaker

Speaker, Bungoma County Assembly

About the Office

The Constitution provides that there shall be a Speaker for each House who shall be elected by that House in accordance with the Standing Orders.

Roles and Functions

  • Presides at every sitting of the County Assembly.
  • Presides over debates and enforces the Constitution and Standing Orders.
  • Administers the oath to Members and issues writs for vacant seats.
  • Protects minority rights while ensuring majority decisions proceed.
  • Organizes the business of the House as Chairperson of the House Business Committee.
  • Acts as spokesperson of the Assembly and safeguards its dignity.
  • Final authority on interpretation of Assembly practice and procedure.

Deputy Speaker

Hon. Wamalwa Stephen Wafula — Deputy Speaker

About the Office

Section 178(2) of the Constitution of Kenya provides that a sitting of the County Assembly shall be presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, or in the absence of the Speaker, another member elected by the Assembly.

Section 106 (1) (b) further provides that there shall be a Deputy Speaker for each House who shall be elected by that House in accordance with the Standing Orders from among its members.

At the beginning of each Assembly, the House elects a member to the position of Deputy Speaker following the same procedure as for the election of the Speaker.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Chairs committees when the Speaker chooses not to chair.
  • Ordinarily serves as Chairperson of Committees of the Whole House.
  • Presides over Committees of the Whole House.
  • Deputises the Speaker in Assembly duties.
  • Helps ensure the dignity, rights, and privileges of the Assembly are upheld.
  • Assists in interpretation and application of Assembly practices and procedures.

Leader of Majority

Hon. Joseph Juma Nyongesa — Leader of Majority

About the Office

The office of the Majority Party Leader (and Deputy Majority Party Leader) is established pursuant to Standing Order 21(1). The largest party or coalition of parties in the County Assembly shall elect two members of the County Assembly belonging to the party or coalition to be the Leader of the Majority Party and the Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.

Roles and Responsibilities

Primary functions of the Leader of Majority usually relate to floor duties, including:

  • Serves as the lead speaker for the majority party during floor debates.
  • Plays a key role in developing the Assembly calendar.
  • Assists the Speaker with programme development, policy formulation, and policy decisions through the County Assembly Service Board (CASB).
  • Acts as the link between the County Executive and the County Assembly.
  • Develops the majority caucus agenda with principal leaders and presides over majority caucus meetings.


Leader of Minority

About the Office

Section 10 of the County Government Act, 2012 provides for County Assembly leadership. The Act states that each County Assembly shall have a Leader of the Minority Party, who shall be the leader of the second largest party or coalition of parties in the Assembly.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Speaks for the Minority Party and its policies.
  • Works to protect the rights and interests of the minority.
  • Organizes and leads constructive criticism of the Majority Party.
  • Develops parliamentary strategies and tactics to influence legislative outcomes.
  • Chairs the party’s Committee Assignment Panel.

Majority Whip

About the Office

The office of the Majority Party Whip is established pursuant to Standing Order 21(b). The largest party or coalition of parties in the County Assembly elects two members to serve as the Whip of the Majority Party and the Deputy Majority Whip.

Standing Order 22(1) further provides that the Majority Party or coalition shall elect a member belonging to the party or coalition to serve as the Whip of the Majority County Assembly Party.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Mobilizes members of the Majority Party or coalition for the transaction of Assembly business.
  • Enforces party discipline among members.

Deputy Majority Whip

Standing Order 22(1)(b) provides for the election of a Deputy Majority Whip, who deputizes the Majority Whip and performs the duties of the office in the Whip’s absence.

Minority Whip

About the Office

The office of the Minority Party Whip is established pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). The Minority Party or coalition constituting the minority in the Assembly elects a member belonging to the party or coalition to serve as the Whip of the Minority County Assembly Party.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Mobilizes members of the Minority Party or coalition for the transaction of Assembly business.
  • Performs responsibilities accorded by the Standing Orders.
  • Undertakes additional functions as may be resolved by the Assembly.

Deputy Minority Whip

A member of the Assembly belonging to the Minority Party or coalition is elected as Deputy Minority Whip. The Deputy Whip deputizes the Minority Whip and performs the duties of the office in his or her absence.