Kenya Kwanza’s Amason Kingi has won the seat of the speaker in the senate seat as the third round of senate is officiated as under the 2010 Constitution where voting for the House speaker happened.
The senators, both elected and nominated, first took the oath of office before electing the speaker, in accordance with the Standing Orders. The election was through a secret ballot.
The election exercise was conducted in the Senate Chambers this Thursday, September 8 as Kingi garnered 46 votes leading to acclaiming the role as his rival Kalonzo pulled out of the race.
Withdrawal of Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka withdrew from the race leaving the win bare for former Kilifi County Governor to take on and lead the House.
The Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party leader rode on the majority that the William Ruto-led alliance enjoys in the Senate – 37 out of 67-including 26 elected (including UDM senators) and 11 nominated.
This is after both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza convened parliamentary group meetings with elected leaders to strategize ahead of the crucial elections.
The chairman of the Azimio Council and outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta rooted for Kalonzo for the Senate Speaker seat. He noted that if the outcome of the election was different, he would have been a top Cabinet Secretary.
“Stephen Kalonzo would have been the best chief minister. I believe he would also have been a good representative of our agenda in the Senate,” the Azimio Council Chairman stated.
Some of the candidates in the race for the Senate House seat included George Bush, Isaac Aluochier Polo, George Njoroge Kuria, Beatrice Kathomi, and Fredrick Karuri Muchiri.
