Nairobi: Speaker race narrows down to 2 candidates as Kenya Kwanza MCAs protest
The race for Nairobi County Assembly Speaker has narrowed down to two candidates after seven others were rejected for failing to meet qualification requirements.
Kennedy Okeyo Ng'ondi and Hassan Rabow Mohamed are set to face off on Thursday, September 29 when the Assembly convenes for its first sitting and election of the Speaker.
The Assembly Clerk Edward Gichana also listed three candidates whom he said had met all the requirements to face off for the Deputy Speaker position.
The individuals, who are the sitting Members of Nairobi County Assembly, are Kiguathi Kados Paul Muiruri, Athman Hashim Kamau, and Samora Mwaura.
Speaker Benson Mutura
Kenya Kwanza MCAs in the Assembly have threatened to disrupt tomorrow's swearing-in ceremony and election of the Speaker after the former Speaker Benson Mutura was disqualified from the race.
Speaking in Nairobi, Umoja 1 MCA Mark Mugambo wondered how Mutura could be disqualified yet he has been serving in the position.
“How comes Mutura has served as Speaker and he is now being told he hasn’t met the requirements,” he argued.
Waithaka MCA Anthony Kiragu accused the Assembly Clerk of being biased.
“We want to express our sadness and shock because the Clerk seems to have a preferred candidate by imposing unconstitutional requirements so as to lock out other candidates.
"We will make sure nothing goes on here tomorrow,” Kiragu vowed.
