Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Thursday, September 8, withdrew his candidature for Senate Speaker race, leaving six other contestants to battle it out.
Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye told the newly sworn-in senators that Musyoka, in a letter under the reference code WDM/SEN/GC/22, dated September 8, 2022, and addressed to his office, revealed his decision to withdraw from the race.
The six contestants to battle it out for the Speaker's seat are Isaac Aluochier, George Bush, Fredrick Karuri, Amason Kingi, Beatrice Kinyua and George Kuria.
Kalonzo Musyoka had been fronted by Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, while Amason Kingi, the former Governor of Kilifi County, had been proposed by the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
The person who will be elected the Speaker on Thursday, September 8, will be the third Speaker of the Senate under the 2010 Constitution.
The previous speakers are Ekwee Ethuro (2013-2017) and Kenneth Lusaka (2017-2022).
Lusaka has since regained his Bungoma gubernatorial seat after trouncing other candidates, including the then-incumbent Wycliffe Wangamati, in the August 9, 2022 polls.
Lusaka was the first Governor of Bungoma County between 2013 and 2017.
