Kwanza’s Amason Jeffah Kingi has emerged the speaker of the Senate – the third under the 2010 Constitution.
In the election exercise conducted in the Senate Chambers on Thursday, September 8, Kingi garnered 46 votes.
The former Kilifi County governor’s win became inevitable after Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka withdrew his candidature for the seat.
The senators, both elected and nominated, first took oath of office before electing the speaker, in accordance with the Standing Orders. The election was through a secret ballot.
The Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party leader rode on the majority that the William Ruto-led alliance enjoys in the Senate – 37 out of 67-including 26 elected (including UDM senators) and 11 nominated.
Other candidates who were in the race included George Bush, Isaac Aluochier Polo, George Njoroge Kuria , Beatrice Kathomi, and Fredrick Karuri Muchiri.
On September 7, both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza convened parliamentary group meetings with elected leaders to strategize ahead of the crucial elections.
The chairman of the Azimio Council and outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta rooted for Kalonzo for the Senate Speaker seat. He noted that if the outcome of the election was different, he would have been a top Cabinet Secretary.
“Stephen Kalonzo would have been the best chief minister. I believe he would also have been a good representative of our agenda in the Senate,” the Azimio Council Chairman stated.