Garissa MCAs risk losing seats over absenteeism, speaker says

by STEPHEN ASTARIKOSaturday May 9, 2026

Garissa County Assembly Speaker Abdi Idle speaking to journalists in his office. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Garissa County Assembly Speaker Abdi Idle has issued a stark warning to MCAs who repeatedly skip sittings, saying prolonged absenteeism could cost them their seats under the assembly’s standing orders.

Addressing reporters in his office, Idle said the pattern of missing House business was hampering the assembly’s work and slowing down the passage of key motions and bills intended to serve residents of Garissa county.

This, he said, leads to delays in processing crucial bills and motions meant to benefit residents of Garissa county.

He said absences do not just interrupt debate, but also weaken oversight and delay service delivery to residents who depend on the assembly to function effectively.

Idle said several important bills were now stuck at different stages because the House had repeatedly failed to muster the quorum needed for debate and decisions.

“I have to be honest with you, the continued absence of members from House sittings is seriously undermining the legislative mandate and denying residents effective representation,” he said.

The speaker said MCAs must treat their legislative duties with urgency and seriousness, reminding them that voters entrusted them with representing public interests.

“I have evidence on the floor of the House of my constant communication to the members to take up their roles seriously. Unfortunately, my communication is not being taken seriously,” Idle said.

He pointed to the assembly’s standing orders, saying they clearly spell out the consequences for members who stay away from sittings for too long.

“ The standing orders are very clear. When one misses eight consecutive sessions, then that is enough to send one home and the people of Garissa can elect another representative who will be committed to the job,” he said.

Idle urged MCAs to set aside personal interests and focus on the electorate’s needs, warning that continued absenteeism would no longer be tolerated.

Jarajila MCA Noor Sheikh Farah, speaking to the Star, backed the speaker’s remarks and said absenteeism had long been a persistent problem in the assembly.

“The speaker is very right on this one. I have been in the assembly for the last four years and I can tell you, many are the times when business has been adjourned for lack of quorum. Many bills at various stages that are supposed to be debated are stuck as a result of lack of quorum,” Farah said.

Speaking separately to the press, human rights activists and civil society representatives said the situation was troubling and suggested a worrying lapse in duty by some elected leaders.

Led by Muktar Dahir, head of the Garissa County Human Rights Defenders Network, the group said the disclosures reflected negligence and a failure by some MCAs to fulfil the responsibilities placed on them by voters.

“As human rights defenders and advocates for accountable leadership, we remind all MCAs they were elected by wananchi to serve and uphold the interests of the people,” Muktar said.

“Attendance and active participation in assembly sessions are not favours to the public; they are constitutional and moral obligations attached to the offices they hold.”

Muktar urged the assembly leadership to adopt firm measures that would encourage discipline and hold to account members who repeatedly miss sittings without valid reasons.

“The culture of absenteeism should not be normalised in a democratic institution entrusted with safeguarding the interests of the people.,” he said.

“The people of Garissa deserve a functioning assembly that works efficiently, debates issues affecting citizens, oversees the executive effectively and passes legislation that promotes development, justice and good governance,” Muktar added.

He said civil society groups and human rights defenders would continue to monitor the conduct of elected leaders closely and would not shy away from publicly condemning actions or omissions that undermine democratic governance and service delivery.