Wetang’ula Beats Marende to Clinch National Assembly Speaker Seat

Former Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula has clinched the National Assembly Speaker seat.

Wetang’ula, who was fronted by President-elect William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance, trounced his rival Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition’s Kenneth Marende to win the coveted position.

He garnered 215 votes against Marende’s 130 votes during the first round of voting, failing to attain the required threshold of 233 votes (two-thirds).

Wetang’ula, who is the Ford Kenya party leader, was declared the winner after Marende withdrew from the second-round vote. He was immediately sworn on the floor of the House.

Before the voting kicked off, Azimio-led MPs opposed Wetangula’s candidature, arguing that he was ineligible to run for the Speaker’s seat as he was yet to formally resign as Bungoma Senator.

Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang submitted that Wetang’ula resigned to no one as former Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka had been elected as Bungoma Governor and his term had ended. Wetang’ula was re-elected as Bungoma Senator in the August 9th general election.

But acting National Assembly Clerk Serah Kioko allowed Wetang’ula to vie for the position, saying she was satisfied that he had met all the necessary qualifications.