County speakers’ contests take off
Members of County Assembly (MCAs) across the country are electing speakers after a week of intensified lobbying by respective candidates from various political parties.
Politicians, political parties and interested candidates doubled down on their efforts in an aim to get their preferred individuals acquire the coveted positions.
However, there were some candidates who dropped out of the race for various reasons.
One such example is Kiambu’s outgoing County Assembly speaker Stephen Ndicho and former Senator Isaac Mwaura.
“The reason for pulling out of the race is in order to concentrate on national duties which I would be involved in soon,” Ndicho stated.
Mwaura on the other hand did not give the reason for his decision to withdraw from the race.
The other candidates seeking the Kiambu speaker seat are advocate Daniel Gachau, Charles Thiong’o and former Kabete parliamentary aspirant Charles Chege.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has the majority number of MCAs in the Kiambu county house. The main contestants for the seat being Gachau and Thiong’o with the both of them enjoying support from the members of the County Assembly.
Nakuru speaker position is also hotly contested with six people eyeing the position with Joel Kairu, the outgoing speaker who served for only term declaring his exit from the race.
“I have thought about the issue and decided not to vie for the position. I wish the next speaker well as they lead the House for the good of the county,” Kairu said concerning the matter.
He further elaborated that the reason for his exit was because it was unlikely for him to be re-elected in the office again as UDA had the majority numbers, thereby the odds were against his favour in bid to be re-elected.
Those eying for the influential position include former Biashara MCA Joel Karuri, businessman Martin Kagai, Education Chief Officer Anne Njenga, former Kuresoi MP James Koskei and lawyer Peter Bore.
In Kericho county, Dominic Rono is facing stiff competition from former Bureti MP Japheth Kiptegech as he is defending his seat.
Ten candidates are fighting out for the post in Baringo with outgoing speaker David Kerich opting out of the race.
Richard Koech, Sylas Tochim, Billy Kipruto, Joseph Tarus, Fridah Lotuiya, Dr Noah Chepkech, Emily Kiptui, Hillary Songoyo and Naomi Jerotich Vincent Kibet are some of the individuals in the crowded race to occupy the coveted position.
