Hassan Omar drop out of the Senate Speaker race
The race for the speaker positions of the Bicameral House has gained momentum after the gazettement of the first sitting tomorrow.
The Senate speaker position has attracted key political figures, however, some have withdrawn from the race.
Former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar has since bowed out of the race leaving it for the former Kilifi governor Amason Kingi as the sole candidate for the position from the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
On his social media account, Omar indicated his choice to step down following a series of discussions with president-elect William Ruto.
“Following lengthy deliberations with H.E William Ruto and other Kenya Kwanza leaders yesterday, we agreed that H.E Amason Kingi is fronted as the Coalition’s candidate for Senate Speaker in keeping with the spirit of Coalition partnership,” the post by Omar read.
The two camps are locked in a political battle in the race to clinch the speaker seats for both the houses.
At the National Assembly, a heated contest is expected where Kenya Kwanza’s Moses Wetangula will face off Azimio One Kenya alliance kinsman Kenneth Marende for the Speaker position.
Azimio faction has the majority in the National Assembly with 168 against Kenya Kwanza’s 158 Members of Parliament.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to gazette 12 nominated MPs to be shared across the political parties as per the constitution.
In the Senate, Kenya Kwanza has 24 Senators while Azimio has 22 Senators. One of the senators is independent and IEBC is yet to gazette the names of 20 nominated Senators.
A meeting held by the leaders of the two alliances has seem to bore fruits and reach unanimous agreement on whom to represent each camp for the speaker positions respective.
ODM communication Director Philip Etale on his tweeter page has confirmed that the alliance has reached a breakthrough for the two positions.
“Hon. Kenneth Marende to go for speaker of the National Assembly and Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka to go for speaker of the senate. More to follow,” re-affirmed Etale.
Kiambu Senator elect Karungo wa Thang’wa who had declared interest in the Deputy Speaker position has also withdrawn his candidature after consultative meetings with his fellow senators.
Constitutionally, the Speakers of the two houses are regarded as the third in command after the President and his deputy.
At least 15 individuals had picked the nomination papers for the Senate Speaker by 3pm yesterday.
All the candidates are expected to return their papers, accompanied by at least 20 signatures from MPs supporting their bids, by 2:30pm today.
