Third in command? Calculating senator's gamble could pay off

Unlike Wetang'ula, the positions of Ruto as president, Rigathi Gachagua as deputy president and Musalia as Prime Cabinet Secretary are strictly hinged on the Kenya Kwanza Alliance forming the government. Team Ruto is banking on the Supreme Court not nullifying their victory which has been challenged by Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya candidate Raila Odinga.

Asked whether it will be a risky affair to resign as a senator in order to vie for the speaker's slot, Wetang'ula who turns 66 next month expressed confidence in his move: "We have done our homework. Besides the rallying of numbers currently spearheaded by the president-elect, I also have friends and individual supporters from across the political divide, who I expect to back my bid."