Former Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has been elected Senate Speaker following the withdrawal of former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Senate clerk declared Kingi as the duly elected speaker of the Senate after receiving a majority vote of 46, after senators affiliated to the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition walked out in protest.
Kalonzo was one of the seven applicants who had been certified to contest for the slot but withdrew from the race in a letter addressed to the clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye.
“For the position of the Speaker of Senate, the following seven candidates were validly nominated as at the close of the nomination period; Issac Aluochier, George Bush, Karuri Fredrick Muchiri, Kingi Amason Kefa, Kinyua Beatrice Gathomi, Kuria George Njoroge and Musyoka Stephen Klaonzo,” Nyegenye said.
Kingi sponsored by Kenya Kwanza
King's candidature was sponsored by Kenya Kwanza Coalition, which is headed by President-elect William Ruto.
“In embracing the spirit of devolution, I am delighted by the rich blend of membership of the 4th Senate drawn from former members of the National Assembly, governors and members of the county assemblies. I am looking forward to working with all of you,” Kingi said.
Kingi, 48, will serve as the third Speaker of the Senate under the 2010 Constitution. His predecessors are Ekwee Ethuro (2013-2017) and Kenneth Lusaka (2017-2022).
Kingi, 48, served as Kilifi governor between 2013 and 2022.
