21 applicants seek National Assembly speaker seat as 17 gun for Speaker of Senate

At least 21 applicants have expressed interest in the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly while at least 17 others are seeking the Senate Speaker's job.

In the National Assembly, parliamentary staff on Tuesday, led by acting clerk Serah Kioko were busy preparing for the Thursday sitting. Once the newly elected MPs are sworn, they will immediately embark on the election of their speaker.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who had been designated the prime cabinet secretary slot in the Azimio La Umoja coalition agreement has shifted interest to the National Assembly Speaker’s job, after his Presidential candidate Raila Odinga lost to William Ruto, whose election was affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Bungoma Senator-elect Moses Wetangula is also in the race with his candidature backed by the Kenya Kwanza team, as part of the alliance’s pre-election agreement.

Kenneth marende, who served as the 10th parliament’s speaker is seeking to make a comeback. Agano party leader David Mwaure Waihiga who finished fourth in the august 9th presidential race has also joined the scramble for Speaker’s job.

To clinch the speaker’s job in the first round of voting, one must garner at least 233 votes in a house of 349. If there will be no round one winner, the first two contestants will face each other in a run-off, that requires a simple majority to win.

Though deemed the favourite to clinch the seat, due to Kenya Kwanza’s numbers in the House, Wetangula’s candidature has sparked questions. He has to resign as Bungoma Senator, to be eligible.

Former Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim is seeking to reclaim the seat, while Gichugu lawmaker Robert Gichimu is also in the race.

In the Senate, the speaker’s contest is taking shape. Musyoka has applied for the seat, just like he has in the National Assembly. Marende too has placed a multi-bet, in a race that has attracted 17 applicants and five for the deputy speaker’s slot.

Marende is fronted by the Azimio La Umoja, which had 23 senators, before Mandera Senator Ali Roba, elected on a UDM ticket ditched Azimio for Kenya Kwanza, upsetting the game of numbers.

Former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, who narrowly lost to Abdulswamad Nassir in the governor’s race is eyeing the Senate speaker’s job. Former nominated senator Isaac Mwaura and former Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi is also in the Thursday contest.

The deputy speaker’s position has also attracted a number of contestants among them five members of parliament-elect. They include Gladys Jepkogei Boss ​​(Uasin Gishu), Moses Guchine Kirimi ​(Central Imenti), Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), Peter Kaluma ​(Homa Bay Town) and . Farah Yussuf Mohamed ​​​(Wajir West).

Nominated MPs in both houses are yet to be gazetted. Kenya Kwanza lawmakers are scheduled to meet president-elect William Ruto for a parliamentary group meeting ahead of the Thursday sittings, while the Azimio team will hold a similar meeting with the coalition party's leadership to strategize for the speakers' contests.