Jubilee Party has picked a replacement for former Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki.
Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata disclosed that Jubilee would back Uasin Gishu Senator Margaret Kamar to clinch the seat on Tuesday, June 2.
The votes will be cast during the afternoon session which starts at 2.30 p.m.
"Those inquiring about tomorrow's (Tuesday) Senate Deputy Speaker's election, all contestants are very capable and qualified," Kang'ata said.
"However, Jubilee supports women empowerment. I endorse Prof. Margaret Kamar," he added.
Nominated Senator Issac Mwaura, who was preparing to contest dropped out of the race during a live interview on Citizen TV.
"Jubilee majority whip has endorsed Margaret Kamar as the Jubilee candidate, this has been predicated upon the gender idea. When the party does so, we have no option but to support, we will toe the party line," Mwaura explained.
Surprisingly, Kamar, who is Deputy President William Ruto's home senator, has shown loyalty to President Uhuru Kenyatta. She is also a wife to the late Kanu politician Nicholas Biwott.
Other senators who had expressed interest in the seat are expected to back down. They included Charles Reubenson Kibiru (Kirinyaga), Stewart Mwachiru Madzayo (Kilifi), Isaac Mwaura (nominated), and Judith Pareno (nominated).
“I can assure you all of them will withdraw in favour of Senator Kamar. There is no one else. It is her. We chose her on the basis of her loyalty to the party, we reward loyalty. She stood with us during the purge on disloyal members.
“When she is elected, we want to tell her to continue supporting the handshake because it is the one that put her there,” Kangata stated.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo junior also predicted that Kamar’s competition would pave way for her.
He hinted that candidates from the NASA coalition would bow out in favour of Jubilee’s candidate.
“I believe Kamar will carry the day unopposed. Even candidates from the NASA coalition are likely to drop out of the race. This is essentially a Jubilee seat, so it is only fair that their candidate takes it,” he explained.
