By-election looms if Wetang’ula goes for Speaker seat

A senatorial by-election is on the cards in Bungoma county after IEBC declared Deputy President William Ruto as the fifth president on Monday evening.

Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance had proposed Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, who retained his seat, to be the Speaker of the National Assembly. 

The position is the third most powerful in the government after that of President and the deputy.

Kenya Kwanza’s coalition agreement states that the ANC party led by former deputy premier Musalia Mudavadi is to produce the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

The Ford Kenya leader delivered more than 70 per cent of votes to Kenya Kwanza in Bungoma county.

During the campaigns, Wetang’ula (pictured) told voters that if Kenya Kwanza forms the next government the people of Western Kenya would have a considerable stake in it.

“We are going to get 30 per cent of any government appointments and the agreement is with the registrar of political parties,” he said.

However, he is also on record saying he would be contented with his Senate seat while he negotiates for other leaders from Western region to be appointed to government positions.

“We want him now to go to Nairobi as promised so that he can sit on the negotiating table,’’ said one politician who is already eyeing the senatorial seat.