Outgoing Busia County Assembly Speaker Bernard Mubinya Wamalwa on Thursday handed over instruments of power to his successor, Engineer Fredrick Wafula Odilo after he was sworn in by Assembly Clerk, Allan Mabuka at the Plenary Hall.
Among the instruments Eng Odilo received included the Constitution of Kenya, Standing Order and handover notes since the advent of devolution in 2013.
Odilo, who is also the vice chairman of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce won the mandate to lead the third assembly for the next five years after the 50-member house gave him an overwhelming mandate with a whopping 44 votes which was equivalent to 88 percent of the votes cast.
Human Resources consultant Roselinda Barasa took second position with a paltry 4 votes with Edwin Abwire coming third on 2 votes in the exercise that saw county residents pack the public gallery to the bream.
Moments after declaring the results to the ullulation of members and the general public, Mr Mabuka asked Chief Sergent, Christopher Otieno Sindianya to usher in the Speaker elect.
The Clerk then formally handed over duties of the house to the second Speaker who later conducted the exercise of electing the new Deputy Speaker to replace Hon Lawrence Okaale Murunga who served in the second assembly.
Malaba Central MCA, Hon Ochalu Ronald was elected as the Deputy Speaker unopposed after his three opponents including Dennis Wafula Okinda (Matayos South), Dalmas Onjole ( Chakol North) and Johnstone Makabwa (Nangina) withdrew from the race.
The three withrew on the floor of the house without formalising it, a feat that the Speaker said did not hold any water. He gave them five minutes to put it in writing and notify the Clerk's office of the same, and which they complied.
The speaker promised to notify house members on the expected date of their next sitting in the course of next week to elect members to serve in various house committees.
The Speaker also urged the members to work diligently and ensure the Governor H.E Dr Paul Nyongesa Otuoma implements the Rapid Results Initiative for the betterment of the residents of Busia county.
Later while addressing the press, Eng Odilo said the Assembly will work with the Executive to deliver on its mandate especially in expediting on the passage of legislations to enable the County achieve its set goals.
Outgoing Speaker, Bernard Wamalwa thanked members of the first and second assembly for their unwavering support that saw the assembly ranked among the top in enactment of bills.
Photo: New Busia County Assembly Speaker, Engineer Fredrick Odilo swears in Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu at the Plenary Hall on Thursday.
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