Ruto picks Wetang’ula for Speaker seat

The Kenya Kwanza Alliance yesterday confirmed Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula as the coalition’s choice for Speaker of the National Assembly ahead of its opening.

Speaking at Bungoma Christ the King Church, President-elect William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, said they had settled on Wetang’ula to lead the 13th Parliament.

Ruto said Wetang’ula, also the Ford-Kenya leader, had all the qualities to make a good National Assembly Speaker.

“Apart from coming here to worship with you, I have also come here to beg you to give us your senator, Wetang’ula, to become our next Speaker’’, said Ruto.

He said the next Parliament needed a robust Speaker who could pass bills and work on the alliance’s manifesto.

Ruto assured that Wetang’ula would be elected as Speaker, saying Kenya Kwanza had high numbers in the National Assembly.

“We have numbers in Parliament and definitely Wetangula will be our Speaker,” said Ruto.

Gachagua took a swipe at Interior permanent secretary Karanja Kibicho, who he accused of trying to block Wetang’ula from being elected Speaker by stopping the gazettement of senators.

He said Wetang’ula would be the next Speaker with or without the gazettement.

“Gazettement of senators is non-consequential in matters of electing the Speaker,” said Gachagua.

He said Kibicho had frustrated Ruto for the past four years and should not continue doing so after he (Ruto) was declared the winner of the presidential election.

High numbers

 “He frustrated Ruto for four years and now wants to block Wetang’ula from becoming our National Assembly Speaker. He should know that his days are numbered,’’ he said.

Gachagua asked Kibicho and Azimio leaders to stop living in denial and accept that they lost the election.

Wetang’ula delivered thousands votes to Kenya Kwanza alliance.

Ruto thanked Bungoma people and western region at large for voting for Kenya Kwanza. He promised that the Amani National Congress leader, Musalia Mudavadi, would be the Prime Cabinet Secretary in his government.

The President-elect, who was accompanied by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and a host of MPs, asked the Supreme Court to emulate the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“Don’t be swayed when delivering judgment on the presidential petition,” he said.

Full confidence

He noted that courts should stand firm and resist intimidation and blackmail, adding that he had full confidence in the courts and knew they would deliver their verdict without being coerced.

“The IEBC has proved to Kenyans that independent institutions can withstand intimidation, bribery and blackmail to deliver credible elections. I appeal to other institutions to do the same,’’ said Ruto.

He stated that the 2022 elections were the most transparent and credible since Kenya got independence.

“IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati has gone through intimidation and blackmail but still he has stood firm. I urge other independent institutions to emulate him,’’ he said.

Ruto urged his competitors to remain calm and peaceful as they wait for the ruling of the Supreme Court.

“I’m asking my competitors to remain peaceful and avoid conflict as we wait for the court’s verdict,” said Ruto.

On his part, Mudavadi urged Kenyans to pray for the IEBC chairman, adding that he was going through difficult moments.

He added that after going through the petitions filed in court, it was clear that the country was still restive.

‘’Let us pray for Chebukati because he has stood firm and committed so that the country doesn’t go to the dogs’,’ said Mudavadi.

 Wetang’ula said the petitions filed by Azimio were a pile of nothing.

“As a senior lawyer, I have gone through the petitions and their documents are only a pile of nothing,’’ said Wetang’ula.

He asked Bungoma people to walk with Ruto, saying he has no record of betrayal.