Taita Taveta leaders have struck a conciliatory tone after County Assembly Speaker Wisdom Mwamburi officially resumed office following a court-ordered reinstatement.
His return follows a High Court decision that nullified his impeachment. The judge ruled the process was unconstitutional, unlawful and procedurally unfair. The ruling ends a political and legal standoff that had split the assembly since mid-2024.
A court ruling ends a long standoff
Mwamburi had been impeached by a faction of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). They cited alleged misconduct, incompetence and loss of confidence.
The court’s decision overturned that removal. It cleared the way for him to reclaim the Speaker’s seat and restart the assembly’s work under new leadership certainty.
Mwamburi says it is not a personal win
Speaking for the first time since the reinstatement, Mwamburi addressed a prayer breakfast in Wundanyi. The event also marked the opening of the county assembly’s fifth session.
He told leaders the ruling should not be treated as a personal victory. Instead, he framed it as an affirmation of constitutional order and the rule of law.
“The court pronouncement is not the victory of an individual. Rather, it is a shared victory of this whole county assembly, and I receive it with humility, sobriety and a renewed sense of responsibility,” he said.
He added that the dispute is now settled. He urged all sides to return their attention to service delivery.
No bitterness, no revenge
Mwamburi said he would not pursue vengeance after his removal and return. He stressed that institutional integrity must come before personal or political disputes.
He pledged to lead the House with fairness, openness and respect for the law. He also urged MCAs to choose dialogue over confrontation as the county heads toward the final stretch of the term.
“With barely a year to the next general election, the people of Taita Taveta are only interested in serious work,” he said, pointing to legislation, oversight, representation and development.
“Our county assembly is not divided or paralyzed. With me at the helm, this house is standing and committed to working as one united institution,” he added.
Leaders push reconciliation and focus on devolution
Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako echoed the call for healing. He urged leaders to let bygones be bygones and to return to the original promise of devolution.
“When human understanding fails, we must invite divine intervention,” he said, urging county leaders to reflect on why residents still feel services are not meeting expectations.
He also criticised persistent tensions between the county executive and the assembly. He said the two arms of government are required to complement each other, not work at cross purposes.
Oversight is needed, but so is restraint
Mwashako defended the assembly’s oversight role. However, he warned against turning accountability into personal or political battles.
“There is nothing wrong with oversight and calling things as they are in the county executive,” he said.
“But harmony does not mean abandoning our duties, and it also does not mean fighting for the sake of fighting. We must be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us and refuse to be comfortable with mediocrity.”
Mwamburi’s reinstatement now shifts the spotlight from courtroom battles to governance. Leaders say the priority is to restore stability and deliver results for residents.
