Uasin Gishu Senator Prof. Margaret Kamar is the new Senate Deputy Speaker. Prof. Kamar was sworn-in to the position on Tuesday after three of her rivals dropped out of the race, leaving her as the only candidate.
Judith Pareno, an ODM nominated Senator, was the last to pull out of the contest just hours before the election was held at the Senate.
“Following consultations with the leadership of my party, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), I hereby give notice of my withdrawal as a candidate for election as Deputy Speaker of the Senate. Thank you,” Pareno wrote to Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka.
Earlier, another competitor nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura endorsed Prof. Kamar following her endorsement by Jubilee party on grounds of gender.
“When the party does so, we have no option but to support, we will toe the party line,” said Mwaura.
Kilifi Senator Steward Madzayo bowed out of the race on Monday evening after consultations with his party ODM.
“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,” he said in a statement.
While withdrawing from the race, Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru who had emerged as the frontrunner said he did so to promote gender equity.
“In the interest of promoting gender equity and after thorough and wide consultations in the spirit of negotiated democracy, I have unreservedly withdrawn my candidature,” he said in a statement.
The powerful seat fell vacant following the impeachment of Tharaka-Nithi Senator Prof. Kithure Kindiki on May 22nd over allegations of insubordination.
