A second senator contesting for the vacant position of the Deputy Speaker of the Senate has withdrawn from the race.
Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kabiru was the first to announce that he was quitting the battle to succeed his Tharaka Nithi counterpart Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
Quitting the contest, Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo said that he decided to abandon the race after wide consultations with his supporters and colleagues at the Senate and within his ODM and party leader Raila Odinga.
“My decision is premised majorly on the need to continue supporting the political coherence currently being advanced by H.E Raila Amollo Odinga and H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Senator Madzayo said in a statement top newsrooms on Monday, June 1, 2020
“I also believe my decision to no longer run for the post of Senate Deputy Speaker, will advance gender equity; a spirit I passionately subscribe to,” he added.
“I take this opportunity to sincerely thank my colleagues in the Senate for their support,” he noted.
The senator also thanked his supporters, particularly residents of Kilifi County whom he says have remained the strongest motivation to his political and leadership endeavors.
“I will, therefore not seek election for that position,” he said in a letter addressed to Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.
Three senators will now battle out for the vacant Senate Deputy Speaker’s position after also nominated lawmaker Millicent Omanga dropped out of the race.
They are Isaac Mwaura (nominated – Jubilee), Judith Pareno (nominated –ODM) and Prof Margaret Kamar.
Pareno is from Raila Odinga’s ODM party while Kamar and Mwaura are Jubilee senators.
Meanwhile, the Jubilee Party has endorsed Uasin Gishu Senator Prof. Margaret Kamar for the vacant post.
Making the announcement on Monday, Senate Majority Whip Senator Irungu Kang’ata endorsed the Uasin Gishu lawmaker for the coveted seat.
“Those inquiring about tomorrow’s Senate Deputy Speaker’s election. All contestants are very capable and qualified. However, Jubilee supports women empowerment. I endorse Prof Margaret Kamar.” Kang’ata who doubles up as Muranga Senator wrote on Twitter on Monday.
The election will be conducted in the Senate chamber with all the members expected to vote through a secret ballot.
For one to clinch the plum position in the first round, a nominee must garner at least two thirds of the votes cast, that is 45 out of the 67 votes.
According to the Standing Orders, a candidate wins the seat of the speaker or deputy speaker if he gets two-thirds of the votes.
Should one fail to marshal the requisite number of votes in the first round of the voting, candidates with the first and second-highest number of votes will contest in the second round of voting.
Here, the candidate who gets the majority of the votes will be declared the winner.
