Kenya, July 22 -- Kilifi County has chosen a new County Assembly speaker, Hon. Catherine Kenga after removing the former speaker, Teddy Mwambire. Teddy Mwambire is a supporter of ODM Party leader Raila Odinga.
On Monday, July 21, 2025, 41 out of 47 members of the County Assembly voted for Catherine Kenga. She is now the first woman to be the speaker in the six coastal counties since devolution started in 2013.
Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung'aro praised Kenga for her election, saying it shows that women can lead.
"Congratulations to Hon. Catherine Kenga for becoming the Speaker of the Kilifi County Assembly. I was happy to see her take the oath of office after receiving 41 out of 47 votes," Mung'aro said.
He added that Kenga sets a great example for other women.
Mwambire was removed from his position on Monday, July 1, 2025, after a motion was supported by many of the county's leaders, known as MCAs.
Forty of the fifty MCAs voted to remove him, stating he had acted badly and was not doing his job properly.
The motion to remove Mwambire was started by Thomas Chengo, an MCA from Tezo ward.
He listed many complaints against Mwambire, saying that he did not respect the assembly's rules and caused problems, especially with the budget.
Mwambire, who is a close supporter of Raila Odinga and the chairman of the ODM in Kilifi, was also accused of not being fair in his role.
MCAs pointed out that he took part in local ODM elections in Ganzesub-county, where he tried to become the chairman but lost, and later he contested the results.
Even though he was given a chance to explain himself before a committee investigating the claims, Mwambire did not show up.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.