Azimio senators stormed out of the Senate in protest after Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, withdrew from the speaker race.
Narok Senator, Ledama ole Kina led the Azimio allied leaders in walking out of the chamber as voting commenced.
"Pursuant to Standing Order No. 8, a candidate may by written notice to the clerk, withdraw his or her candidature before a ballot has started.
"In this regard, I want to draw to the attention of the senate and senators that this morning, Hon Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, withdrew his candidature of the speaker of the senate will not appear on the ballot paper," the clerk, Jeremiah Nyegenye, announced.
Kalonzo's withdrawal leaves six other candidates, including Kenya Kwanza's Amason Kingi, to contest for the position.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, while addressing the media, stated that there were issues that needed to be clarified prior to electing a speaker.
"There a lot of things that need to be done for us to conduct a proper process. Some of our colleagues raised serious concerns and it would have been important for them to be cleared. We need to school members to read their coalition agreement and other matters.
"Former Bungoma senator-elect, Moses Wetangula, resigned (to run for National Assembly speaker) and now we are tied at 23 senators each for Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja and we need to address that issue," Ledama complained while addressing the media.
Ole Kina further noted the decision by senators under the United Democratic Movement (UDM) to sit on the same side as leaders elected under Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties created confusion in Senate.
UDM under Mandera senator, Ali Roba, decamped to Kenya Kwanza, a move which Azimio claimed breached their coalition agreement.
"There are two issues which are not clear to the UDM members. There is no way they can cross to the other side of the aisle until after three months after which they should give a 90-day notice," the lawmaker opined.
Nonetheless, Nyegenye called the house to order and announced that the process would go on as planned. He directed that the polling would be done at the two booths installed on the left and right sides of the chambers.
"Each senator when called out will come to the table, where we will give you one ballot paper and you will proceed to one of the polling booths. You will place a mark opposite the name of your preferred candidate - remember it is a secret ballot," the clerk stated.
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