Kenya Kwanza's Amason Jeffah Kingi has been elected as 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 out of a possible 67.
The Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye announced the results, before allowing Kingi to walk into the Chambers and take oath of office.
The former Kilifi County governor's win became inevitable after Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka withdrew his candidature for the seat.
Speaking to the media after the walkout, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua who was elected on a Wiper ticket claimed that the process was flawed.
"How do you pronounce seven CVs and at the same time cast a vote? That is why some of us in Azimo walked out because we did not want to be part of a process that we believe is flawed and is a fraud," Wambua stated.
In his acceptance speech, Kingi expressed thanked the members who elected him and promised to execute his mandate in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya.
"I am profoundly honored and overwhelmed by the great honor and privilege you have bestowed upon me by electing me as your Speaker. I am touched by the immense confidence and trust you have placed in me.
"I therefore accept with humility and pledge that I shall perform to my utmost ability the constitutional responsibilities and duties of the office of the Senate Speaker for the next five years with diligence and decorum," Kingi stated.
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.
Reports from the chambers intimated to Kenyans.co.ke that Azimio-allied Senators from the coastal region voted for Kingi.
Other candidates who were in the race included George Bush, Isaac Aluochier Polo, George Njoroge Kuria , Beatrice Kathomi, and Fredrick Karuri Muchiri who got no votes.
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.
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