Isiolo, Kenya| In a bold and unequivocal statement, Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Abdullahi Jaldesa Banticha has declared the recent attempt to remove Assembly Clerk Salad Boru null and void, branding it an illegal maneuver orchestrated by former Speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto and his allies.
The announcement, made during a fiery interview on Nagaa Radio’s Prime Time program Gadhis Nagaa hosted by Adesh Nagaa on August 5, 2025, has reignited the spotlight on the ongoing leadership turmoil plaguing the Isiolo County Assembly.
A Crisis Rooted in Power Struggles
The Isiolo County Assembly has been mired in a deepening leadership crisis, marked by factionalism, legal battles, and competing claims to authority.
The latest controversy centers on the attempted ouster of Clerk Salad Boru, a move Banticha condemned as lacking constitutional or procedural legitimacy.
Speaking on Nagaa Radio, Banticha asserted, “The so-called county assembly leadership changes by the embattled Speaker Roba are null and void.”
His remarks underscore the escalating tensions within the devolved unit, which have paralyzed operations and drawn sharp criticism from residents and political observers alike.
Banticha, who was gazetted as Speaker on June 26, 2025, replacing Mohamed Roba, emphasized his legitimacy by revealing that he has already received salaries for June and July 2025 as the substantive Speaker.
“I have already received my salary as the Assembly Speaker for the month of July, and I was also paid for five days in June,” he stated, signaling his firm grip on the leadership role despite challenges to his authority.
Watch the interview as it streamed love on Facebook vide the window below(Note: Should you not see the video, it is because you are using an ad-blocker in your browser. Deactivate it to be able to watch)
Legal and Procedural Irregularities
At the heart of the controversy is the question of who holds the power to remove the Assembly Clerk. Banticha clarified that only the County Assembly Public Service Board (CAPSB) has the authority to sack the Clerk, not the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) or any individual Speaker.
The attempt by Roba and his allies to oust Boru, Banticha argued, is a flagrant violation of established legal and procedural frameworks, including the County Governments Act and the Isiolo County Assembly Standing Orders.
This is not the first time Boru’s position has been contested. In June 2025, Roba, then Speaker, sent Boru on a 30-day compulsory leave over allegations of financial impropriety and gross misconduct, only for the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nyeri to overturn the suspension, citing procedural irregularities.
Boru’s reinstatement added to the leadership confusion, with parallel power structures emerging within the Assembly, including rival Speakers and Clerks, each claiming legitimacy.
Judicial Review Looms
The ongoing leadership saga is far from resolved, with a critical court hearing scheduled for September 22, 2025, to address the disputes surrounding Banticha’s position and the broader governance crisis in Isiolo.
On July 15, 2025, Justice Hellen Wasilwa of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi issued conservatory orders barring any attempt to degazette or remove Banticha as Speaker, pending the determination of his petition challenging Roba’s actions.
The court extended these interim orders on July 17, 2025, and directed all parties, including the Government Press and the State Law Office, to file their responses by September 8, 2025, ahead of the mention on September 22.
Banticha’s petition argues that his attempted removal by Clerk Boru, who published a gazette notice on July 14, 2025, revoking his appointment, was a ‘misunderstanding’ and lacked legal grounding.
The Attorney General, however, has filed a preliminary objection, claiming Banticha’s petition is “premature, political, and legally defective” and that the court lacks jurisdiction, as the Speaker’s role is a state office, not an employment position.
A Polarized Assembly and a County in Crisis
The leadership wrangles in Isiolo have exposed deep divisions within the County Assembly, with factions aligned to Banticha and Roba vying for control.
The turmoil stems from a failed impeachment attempt against Governor Abdi Guyo in June 2025, led by Roba, which was declared null and void by the High Court in Meru for disregarding court orders.
The fallout from this botched impeachment has left the Assembly bitterly polarized, with two rival Speakers—Banticha and Roba—and two competing Clerks—Boru and a temporary replacement appointed by Roba—each claiming legitimacy.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo has been vocal about the crisis, alleging that Banticha was elected Speaker by only two MCAs, a claim that has raised serious questions about the legitimacy of his gazettement.
“The Government Printer, a very sensitive department in this country, gazetted a Speaker elected by only two members of the Assembly,” Dullo told the Senate, calling for a comprehensive audit of the Assembly’s leadership processes.
The leadership vacuum has also sparked public outrage, with Isiolo residents taking to the streets on August 4, 2025, to protest the passage of a controversial KSh 7.3 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Demonstrators accused Banticha and Boru of creating confusion and frustrating county operations, while Roba claimed the budget was passed illegally without a formal Assembly sitting.
The protesters demanded accountability and a resolution to the political standoff, vowing to maintain pressure until order is restored.
A Call for the Rule of Law
Banticha’s radio address was a clarion call for adherence to the rule of law and respect for the ongoing judicial process.
He urged all stakeholders, including MCAs, county officials, and residents, to disregard unauthorized pronouncements from individuals lacking legitimate authority, particularly Roba, whose actions he described as “gross misconduct” and an attempt to exploit the supposed leadership vacuum for personal gain.
“The people of Isiolo deserve order, not confusion created by desperate individuals seeking to cling to power unlawfully,” Banticha declared.
He emphasized that the County Assembly must remain focused on its development agenda and legal mandate, rather than being distracted by factional power struggles.
The Speaker called on relevant authorities, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Auditor-General, and the Senate, to investigate the Assembly’s leadership processes and ensure accountability.
The Road Ahead
As Isiolo awaits the court’s ruling on September 22, 2025, the county remains at a crossroads. The leadership crisis has not only paralyzed Assembly operations but also eroded public trust in local governance.
Residents, frustrated by stalled projects and poor service delivery, are demanding a swift resolution to restore stability and refocus on development priorities.
The judiciary’s role in resolving this standoff will be pivotal, potentially setting a precedent for handling similar political crises in Kenya’s devolved units.
For now, Banticha’s assertion of authority and his defense of Clerk Boru’s position have thrown down the gauntlet, challenging Roba’s faction to respect the rule of law or face further legal consequences.
As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes are on Isiolo, where the struggle for power continues to test the resilience of its institutions.
The people of Isiolo, caught in the crossfire of this political drama, can only hope for a resolution that prioritizes their interests over personal ambitions. Let the rule of law prevail—not the whims of those seeking to cling to power.
Share This Post