Business at the Embu County Assembly has faced repeated disruptions over the past several days due to persistent quorum challenges, with Ruguru-Ngandori MCA Harrison Muturi Mwombo accusing fellow legislators of neglecting their official duties to participate in Mbeere North by-election campaigns.
Muturi, an independent second-term legislator, highlighted that several MCAs have increasingly opted to join campaign convoys instead of attending official sittings, resulting in repeated adjournments despite a full order paper.
Addressing the Speaker, Muturi warned that the ongoing absenteeism was undermining the Assembly’s operations and called for a formal directive requiring all 30 MCAs to attend sessions without exception. “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 remarked, referring to Evurori MCA Duncan Mbui (CCK) and Muminji MCA Newton Kariuki Ndwiga (DP).
Kiambere MCA Lenny Masters challenged Muturi on a point of order, arguing that his intervention was out of line given that the day’s order paper was reserved for motions.
Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh, presiding over the sitting, instructed that quorum bells be rung for ten minutes to summon absent members, but no MCAs responded.
Swaleh expressed concern over the growing absenteeism trend, urging legislators to prioritise their constitutional responsibilities. “If any member is unable to attend a sitting, they must communicate officially. The Assembly should not be struggling to meet quorum,” he stated.
Tuesday’s session was adjourned less than ten minutes after it began due to the lack of quorum, marking yet another interruption to county legislative business.
