The leadership crisis in the Isiolo County Assembly has taken a fresh twist after the High Court temporarily stopped the removal of newly gazetted Speaker Abdullahi Jaldesa Banticha, as deep political wrangles continue to paralyse operations in the devolved unit.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi issued the orders on Tuesday, barring any attempts to degazette or oust Banticha pending the outcome of a petition he filed challenging his removal.

“In the interim, no action be taken removing or degazetting the applicant as the Speaker of the Respondent,” ruled Justice Hellen Wasilwa, who emphasized the need to maintain the current status until the matter is fully heard.

Banticha moved to court for protection after Assembly Clerk Salad Guracha issued a gazette notice on Monday revoking his appointment. In his petition, Banticha listed the Government Press and the State Law Office as respondents.

Justice Wasilwa certified the matter as urgent and directed that all parties be served ahead of an inter partes hearing set for July 17.

The court’s decision has thrown a spotlight on the deepening leadership turmoil in the Isiolo Assembly, which has been rocked by bitter divisions and conflicting authority.

Banticha had recently replaced former Speaker Mohamed Koto, who oversaw the controversial and unsuccessful impeachment motion against Governor Abdi Guyo.

The fallout from that process split the Assembly into opposing camps.

During recent Senate proceedings on the Isiolo impeachment standoff, it emerged that the county assembly has been operating with two speakers and two clerks, each claiming legitimacy.

The unprecedented situation stunned senators and triggered calls for immediate intervention.

Clerk Guracha, who signed the gazette notice installing Banticha, had earlier been suspended by Speaker Koto, who then appointed a temporary replacement.

Guracha later challenged his suspension in court and was reinstated, further worsening the leadership confusion.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo raised serious concerns about the process through which Banticha was elected.

“The Government Printer, a very sensitive department in this country, gazetted a speaker elected by only two members of the Assembly,” Dullo said.

“This is unacceptable and raises serious legal and ethical questions,” she added, demanding a full audit of the Assembly’s leadership structures.

As the case moves to court next week, attention is now on the judiciary to help untangle the standoff and provide guidance on handling such disputes within devolved units.