Elgeyo Marakwet assembly speaker Sabulei resigns to join Interior ministry

Elgeyo Marakwet county assembly speaker Philemon Sabulei has resigned after serving for seven years.

He is headed to the Ministry of Interior.

He did not elaborate on the next role he is taking up at the ministry headed by CS Kipchumba Murkomen.

“I have already tendered my resignation letter, which takes effect from January 30,” Sabulei said.

He has also been serving as chairman of the County Assemblies Forum where he will also relinquish his position.

The forum brings together all speakers and leaders of majority at the county assemblies.

Sabulei, who spoke to the Star on the phone, said he was grateful to the people of Elgeyo Marakwet, MCAs and other leaders for supporting him while he served as the speaker.

He had served as speaker during the previous regime and was elected again after the last general election.

Sabulei said he had worked well with MCAs at the assembly and achieved a lot in terms of oversight and legislation in the county.

Sabulei’s deputy speaker Paul Kipyatich, who is MCA for Embobut, will act as speaker as MCAs prepare to elect a new speaker when they resume sittings next month.

The position may attract many candidates considering the speaker should not be a serving MCA.

Sources indicate at least two MCAs were considering resigning to contest for the speaker position.

Among Sabulei’s main achievements at the assembly include modernisation of the assembly facilities and empowerment of MCAs and staff to perform their duties effectively.

“We have worked with him very well and we recognise his ability as a leader because he has ensured we carry out our mandate as an assembly effectively,” Kipyatich said.

Sabulei also thanked is colleagues and MCAs for giving him the position of chairman at the County Assemblies Forum, where he led a common agenda in pushing for the rights of MCAs and strengthening the role of the assemblies.

The outgoing speaker said he had learned a lot through the positions he held and urged MCAs and speakers to strengthen their role and ensure that the benefits of devolution benefit all Kenyans.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich also praised the work done by Sabulei for the period he has been serving as speaker.

“We in the executive arm have worked with him very well especially on various issues to uplift the lives of the people of Elgeyo Marakwet”, said Rotich.