Amason Kingi, a former leader of Kilifi County, has been chosen as the Senate’s speaker.
Kingi won the first round of voting on Thursday, September 8 with 46 out of a possible 67 votes.
The former county chief had been supported by the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, which is led by William Ruto, the incoming president.
In the first round of voting, Kingi needed at least 45 votes (sometimes referred to as an absolute majority or two-thirds majority) to be proclaimed the victor.
He defeated five other candidates. They are George Bush, Fredrick Karuri, Beatrice Kinyua, Isaac Aluochier, and George Kuria.
According to the 2010 Constitution, Kingi, 48, will serve as the third Speaker of the Senate.
Ekwee Ethuro (2013–2017) and Kenneth Lusaka spoke before you (2017-2022).
Kalonzo Musyoka, the head of the Wiper Party, withdrew from consideration earlier on Thursday for the Senate Speaker position for unspecified reasons.
The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, led by Raila Odinga, had supported Musyoka.
Musyoka announced his decision to withdraw from the contest in a letter with the reference code WDM/SEN/GC/22, dated September 8, 2022, and addressed to his office, according to Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye, who informed the newly sworn-in senators.
Azimio-aligned senators staged a walkout from the chambers following the revelation of Musyoka’s resignation, stating several of the remaining contenders had ethical problems.
On September 8 at 1:36 p.m., Kingi, who led Kilifi as governor from 2013 until 2022, took the oath of office as Speaker of the Senate.
In adopting the devolutionary spirit, I’m thrilled by the 4th Senate’s diverse membership, which includes former NA members, governors, and county assembly members. I am excited to work with each of you, he remarked during his introductory remarks.
