FORMER Siakago MP Justin Muturi is now the front runner to become Speaker of the National Assembly Speaker after his would-be Jubilee rival Mohamed Abdikadir stepped down in his favour.
Abdikadir reportedly stood down following intense negotiations within Jubilee before today's strategy retreat in Naivasha. Garissa Township MP-elect Aden Duale confirmed the move saying Jubilee wanted to field only one candidate for each seat in Thursday's parliamentary election.
According to Duale, Deputy President-elect William Ruto and his URP party have also prevailed upon former Speaker Francis Kaparo to step down for former Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuro in the race for the Speaker of the Senate.
"We have agreed to front only a single candidate as Jubilee for the various positions. We will be discussing the other issues in Naivasha tomorrow (Wednesday) morning," Duale said.
In the Senate, Jubilee won 30 seats, compared to Cord's 28. Jubilee has also signed coalition agreements with other parties including APK bringing its number of senators to 33 out of the possible 67 so its candidate has a strong chance of success.
The URP party has already agreed to present Duale as Majority Leader in the National Assembly. Muturi will compete for the position of NA Speaker with the incumbent Kenneth Marende and former Wajir South MP Mohamud Sirat.
The three are the only ones who were cleared to contest in Thursday's election as eleven others failed to meet the qualifications. On Monday, President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta prevailed on former Garsen MP Danson Mungatana to pull out of the race and support Muturi.
Jubilee is strategizing to have a single candidate against Cord's Farah Maalim for the Speaker of the Senate speaker. Lawyer Philip Murgor is also chasing the position and hoping for the support of Cord.
Amani coalition will present Vihiga senator-elect George Khaniri as its candidate for Senate Deputy Speaker against Cord's Wilfred Machage. However nominated UDF senator Martha Wangari is also seeking Amani support for the post.
''The Amani coalition wishes to inform the public that we have one candidate, Senator George Khaniri for seat of deputy speaker in the senate. We request all members of senate to support him. We are not presenting any candidate in the National assembly,'' Moyale MP-elect Roba Duba said in a statement yesterday. Sotik MP-elect Joyce Laboso will stand as the Jubilee candidate for Deputy Speaker against Cord's Dan Maanzo and Abdikadir Aden.
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