Seven candidates have been cleared to vie for the office of the speaker of the Senate while four others were cleared to vie for the Deputy Speaker’s seat.
The seven nominees include former Speaker David Ekwee Ethuro, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya Farah Maalim, James Gesami Ondicho, Former Bungoma Governor Kenneth Makelo Lusaka, Paul Gichuke Ribathi, Rameshehandra Goving Gorasia and Former Migori Senator Wilfred Gichuka Machage.
Four senators were cleared to vie for the deputy speaker’s seat. They include Irungu Kanga’ta (Murang'a), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Paul Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) and Susan Kihika (Nakuru).
14 candidates who were interested in the speakers and one candidate who was vying for the deputy speaker’s post failed to return nomination papers to the Office of the Clerk of the Senate as required.
Candidates for the Senate Speaker’s post have to be qualified to be a senator. They also have to be supported by two senators-elect.
Those interested in the position must have the qualifications of being a Member of Parliament (MP) and be supported by 20 MPs-elect.
