Kalonzo, Wetangula Set to Battle for Speaker's Post

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetangula.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetangula.
File

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Ford Kenya counterpart, Moses Wetangula, are among the lawmakers who have expressed interest in becoming the speaker of the 13th Parliament.

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.

Kalonzo was endorsed for the speaker's position by Azimio la Umoja, while Wetangula was fronted by the Kenya Kwanza alliance led by President-elect William Ruto.

Azimio deputy presidential candidate Martha Karua alongside Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka addressing supporters outside KICC on August 22, 2022
Azimio principals Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka addressing supporters outside KICC on August 22, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke

"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. 

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. 

Azimio fronted former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, while Kenya Kwanza proposed outgoing Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi for the position. 

"As Azimio coalition, we have decided to front Marende as our candidate for the National Assembly Speaker. We have decided to go for someone who has been tried and tested, someone who understands the operations of Parliament.” 

"We are going to formally communicate this to all our members. All the coalition partners including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka are in agreement," Suna East MP-elect Junet Mohamed stated.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Kenneth Marende.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Kenneth Marende.
File