Speaker contest now narrows to two-horse race
PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI | FILE The recently refurbished parliament chambers. The battle for National Assembly Speaker has narrowed to a contest between Kenneth Marende and Jubilee’s Justin Muturi
What you need to know:
- Influential former Mandera MP Abdikadir quits at the last minute
The battle for National Assembly Speaker has narrowed to a contest between incumbent Kenneth Marende and Jubilee’s Justin Muturi after former Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed pulled out on Tuesday.
Mr Mohammed, who played a key role in overseeing the implementation of the Constitution, withdrew from the race after a meeting with President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Mohammed called Mr Muturi, a former Siakago MP, telling him of his decision.
“I welcome his vision. Indeed, when we are in a coalition, there is no need for acrimony,” said Mr Muturi, who is also a former magistrate.
These events unfolded as Jubilee and Cord strategised on how to win key positions in the National Assembly and the Senate which convene for the first time Thursday.
President-elect Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, are at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha for a two-day retreat while Cord leaders are meeting at the Cooperative University College in Karen.
While Jubilee candidates hope to benefit from their numbers, their Cord counterparts are shedding off the party tag to appeal to members from outside the coalition.
The race for Senate Speaker became crowded for Jubilee after former National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo, Cabinet minister Samuel Poghisio and former Turkana Central MP Ekwee Ethuro, all of URP, were cleared to contest.
They face former Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim, Cabinet minister Margaret Kamar and former Director of Public Prosecutions Phillip Murgor.
On Tuesday, Mr Maalim said he had expanded his campaigns beyond Cord. “I am talking to my brothers in Cord and lobbying Jubilee members,” he said.
Besides having to make the hard decision on their choice for Senate Speaker, the Jubilee leaders will have to decide who between Senators-elect Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka-Nithi), Kiraitu Murungi (Meru, APK), Paul wa Matangi (Kiambu) and Mutahi Kagwe (Nyeri-Narc) will be the Senate Majority Leader.
They will also have to pick between MPs-elect Aden Duale and Mohamed Mohamud who will hold the same position in the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, another MP has joined the race for the National Assembly deputy Speaker.
Balambala MP-elect Abdikadir Omar Aden of ODM will battle it out with URP’s Sotik MP-elect Joyce Laboso.
