Senators walk out as Kalonzo Musyoka pulls out of Speaker race

The clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye on Thursday made an announcement that Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka had withdrawn his name from the list of candidates vying to be the next Speaker of the Senate.

The annoucement caught many by surprise and one of the senators could be heard yelling "What?" as the clerk was delivering the news.

According to the clerk, Musyoka wrote a letter withdrawing himself that morning.

This was followed by a protest walk out by Senators allied to the Azimio One Kenya Alliance.

The Azimio senators faulted the clerk for failing to ruled in their favour after Senator Moses Kajwang called for the suspension of the speaker election.

Senator Kajwang’ argued that the gazettement of 20 nominated Senators was done less than 48 hours ago, and they didn't get a chance to apply to contest for the positions.

“We cannot proceed with the election for speaker and deputy speaker until the rights of nominated members of the senate have been respected and are accorded an opportunity to put in their application,” Kajwang’ stated.

He was joined by Narok Senator Ledama Olekina in arguing that holding the election of the Senate speaker and deputy speakers will infringe on the rights of nominated senators.

“We talk about inclusivity and diversity and this house, being a house of union, must lead by example. I would like to beseech you to suspend this matter until the time when everyone will be given an opportunity to present their papers,” the Narok senator said.

However, Senators allied to President-elect William Ruto urged the Senate clerk not to suspend the election.

The clerk ruled that he will not be suspending the sitting and further reiterated that the business at hand was canvassed by the Standing Orders.

According to the Standing Orders, the first business of the house after an election is swearing-in of members of the house.

After all members are sworn-in, the Senators proceed to elect a new speaker.

Azimio senators took a stand to not participate in the election, giving Kenya Kwanza candidate Amasong Kingi better chances to win.

The legislators who refused to participate in the election also cited integrity concerns with some of the candidates.

"We have been provided with CVs late yet we were also vetted before vying for our positions. We have not been provided with integrity documents of the candidates," Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Kajwang' added that he had produced several reports that declared Kingi unfit to hold public office.