After the ouster of the Senate Deputy Speaker, Kithure Kindiki, Jubilee senators who are allied to the president and their NASA counterparts are working to find a suitable candidate for the position.
Consultations to fill the vacant position are underway after Kindiki was voted out by Senators allied to the two parties.
Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr and the Majority Chief Whip, Irungu Kang’ata confirmed that negotiations to fill up the seat are underway.
The ‘Handshake Team’ is keen to eliminate any competition that may grant the William Ruto team a win.
“What we will avoid is outright competition. Ideally, we just need one candidate that we can all vote for at once,” Mutula Kilonzo said.
This move shows how the team is plotting to completely lock out Ruto’s allies from the position. This comes after the handshake team amassed 54 votes to remove Kithure Kindiki, who is Ruto’s ally, from office against seven senators who voted in Kindiki’s favour.
According to the Senate Standing order, there is no time frame for the election of a deputy speaker.
Senate Standing order 13(3), Standing order 13 (3) reads, “If the office of Deputy Speaker falls vacant at any time before the end of the term of Parliament, the Senate shall, as soon as practicable, elect a Senator to that office.”
A candidate wins the seat if they get wo thirds of the votes casted.
Jubilee party could be considering Uasin Gishu Senator Margaret Kamar for the position. Since she comes from Ruto’s backyard, this will be a great move for Jubilee to divert rumours about the president getting rid of DP Ruto’s allies.
Senator Johnson Sakaja was approached but he declined to take the position.
In case Jubilee fails to table a candidate, NASA is consindering Kilifi Senator Steward Madzayo and Judith Pareno, a member of the speaker’s panel.
Mutula Kilonzo may also be on the list in order to bring in Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina in an arrangement to accommodate the Maa community as part of Uhuru and Raila’s plan to bring all regions on board.
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