An epic political showdown looms as Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Ford Kenya counterpart, Moses Wetangula, gear to battle it out for Kenya’s National Assembly Speaker’s position.
Kalonzo and Wetangula picked their nomination papers at Parliament on Monday, September 5, following the gazettement of the first sitting by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, September 5.
The first sitting has been scheduled for Thursday, September 8, where the elected legislators will be sworn in and immediately elect a speaker and deputy speaker thereafter to officially commence businesses of the 13th Parliament.
Wiper Leader Klaonzo Musyoka picking his nomination papers for the Speaker’s post
“That at the First sitting of the House, the Members-Elect shall be sworn-in in accordance with the requirements of Article 74 of the constitution, and immediately thereafter the House shall proceed to elect a speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution,” the notice dated Monday, September 5 signed by Serah Kioko, clerk of the national assembly read.
The majority of members in the National Assembly will decide the speaker, with both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza factions lobbying their sides to clinch the post.
Influence in both houses will help Kenya Kwanza and Azimio to effectively legislate and pass bills crucial in the country’s leadership.
Other lawmakers who have expressed interest include Dadaab Constituency MP-elect Farah Maalim, who is also Kalonzo’s deputy in the Wiper Party, Noah Winja who unsuccessfully contested for the position after the 2017 General Election and Jared Oluoch Oundo. Others include Gichugu MP-elect Robert Gichimu Githinji and Isaac Aluoch Polo.
Moses Wetangula picking his nomination papers
The first sitting of the Senate will also allow the senators-elect to be sworn in and later elect a speaker and a deputy speaker.
Initially, Azimio La Umoja had fronted former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende to battle it out with Moses Wetangula for the speaker’s position but seemingly changed their mind upon the ruling of the Supreme Court.
