Laboso fronted for deputy Speaker post

By Vitalis Kimutai

Nairobi, Kenya: A section of Members of Parliament are fronting Sotik MP Dr Joyce Laboso for the position of Deputy Speaker at the National Assembly.

Dr Laboso of the United Republican Party (URP) who was re-elected to parliament for the second time is the only woman MP who has so far shown interest in the position.

“I served in the Speaker’s panel in the last parliament and my record speaks for itself. I am appealing to my colleagues from across the country and political divides to support me for this position,” Dr Laboso told The Standard in Nairobi on Wednesday.

An MP from Rift Valley who did not want to be named for this story said that they were fronting Dr Laboso, a former lecturer at Egerton University in the spirit of gender balance in elective positions.

“Dr Laboso is the only woman MP who was in the Speaker’s panel who got re-elected to parliament as the rest were voted out in the March 4 general election. She has the experience to preside over parliamentary debates,” said the MP.

The MP is said to enjoy support from MPs from the Jubilee, CORD and Amani Coalitions.

Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui convened a meeting of Rift Valley URP MPs in Nairobi on Wednesday where the issue is said to have been discussed. Kiptanui however downplayed the issue when contacted for comment.

 “Our meeting on Wednesday was only a bonding session because majority of us have not met since being elected. We had a few other in-house matters to discuss which is not meant for the media,” Kiptanui said.

Incumbent Speaker Kenneth Marende and former Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed are seen as the front runners for the post.

Marende is being fronted by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy while Abdikadir is among those expected to have backing from Jubilee.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa of the Amani Coalition who was also eyeing the seat pulled out.

Mr Justin Muturi, the former Siakago MP and Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) chairman is another candidate said to be enjoying the support of a section of TNA MPs in the contest for the Speaker’s post.