Kalonzo withdraw from National Assembly speaker for Senate

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has withdrawn from contesting for the National Assembly Speaker seat for Senate. 

Speaking to The Informer, Musyoka confirmed that he has presented his credentials to the Parliament.  

“I have already presented my papers for the Senator Speaker,” he said. 

In the same breath, Kenneth Marende is to contest for the National Assembly Speaker while Kenya Kwanza led by president-elect William Ruto is fronting Amason Kingi and Moses Wetangula as Senate and National Assembly Speaker candidates respectively. 

The 13th parliament will convene tomorrow both coalitions have scheduled parliamentary group meetings. 

The first order of business will be to elect the speakers of both houses after the induction of the members. 

Musyoka was one of the 15 people who had chosen nomination forms for the position of Senate speaker so far. 

Earlier on speaking at Bungoma Christ the King Church Ruto noted Wetang’ula indicated all the traits necessary to be a successful National Assembly Speaker. 

“Apart from coming here to worship with you, I have also come here to beg you to give us your senator, Wetang’ula, to become our next Speaker’’, said Ruto. 

According to speculations, Azimio is enthusiastic for former House Speaker Kenneth Marende to be elected to the Senate in order to undermine Wetang’ula’s chances of achieving regional balance in the National Assembly. 

Due to their limited number, senators are likely to forego their secret ballot elections in a shorter amount of time; as a result, their choice may influence how their National Assembly counterpart’s vote. 

The Senate has 67 members, compared to the National Assembly’s 349. In the Senate, Azimio is pushing Marende to square off against Amason Kingi of Kenya Kwanza, while Wetang’ula is anticipated to square off against Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in the National Assembly. 

Kenya Kwanza holds a narrow 24-23 Senate majority and a 161-160 National Assembly majority.