Former MPs bounce back as County Assembly Speakers

George Okode makes his acceptance speech as Siaya County Assembly Speaker after he successfully retained the seat. [Isiah Gwengi, Standard]

After weeks of intensified lobbying for the Speaker positions at the County Assembly, various Ward Representatives have today been sworn-in and allowed to elect their respective speakers.

Politicians and other interest groups have been burning the midnight oil trying to have their favourite candidates get the coveted post.

The post of Speaker, which comes with lucrative perks, has already attracted several people as governors cross their fingers with hopes that those who land the job will work smoothly with them.

Siaya County

In Siaya County, George Okode has retained his seat after getting 38 votes against his closest competitor Evans Oruenjo who got 2 votes in the election that was held today morning.

Andrew Wanyonyi is now the new Trans Nzoia County Assembly Speaker after getting endorsement by majority of the MCAs.

Wanyonyi garnered 20 votes beating other candidates among them, former Cherang'any MP Wesley Korir who had 13 votes.

Wanyonyi is the former Trans Nzoia County Executive for Finance before he joined the Ministry of Water and then Devolution.

His election is seen as a big win for governor George Natembeya.

Andrew Wanyonyi (in suit) takes aoth as the new Speaker for Trans Nzoia County Assembly. [Osinde Obare, Standard]

In his acceptance speech, Wanyonyi urged MCAs to embrace teamwork devoid of political party affiliations in order to serve residents.

He thanked members for having confidence in him.

Murang'a County

In Murang'a County, Johnson Mukuha Mwangi polled 38 votes to win the Speaker position against his opponent Stephen Macharia who got only four votes.

Mukuha said he will guide the assembly to enhance its maximum productivity.

"The assembly will ensure the devolved functions are operational with much interest in health" said Mukuha.

He added that there will be special sitting on September 28, 2022 for the special opening of the assembly.

Turkana County

Former Turkana North Member of parliament Christopher Nakeleu has also been elected unopposed as the third speaker of County Assembly of Turkana after the four nominees were disqualified from the race.

Nakuleu, a UDA party member, beat five other constants to clinch the speaker's seat.

One candidate in the race was disqualified for failing to meet the requirements set by the house to vie.

UDA MCA' s are the majority in the County assembly with a scope of 17 seats out of 30 wards. IEBC nominated 17 women under gender rule.

Kilifi County

In Kilifi County, former Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire has won the speaker seat.

Mr Mwambire got 37 votes with his closest rival James Charo Mlewa getting 13 votes while Mr Ian Jefwa got one vote.

Mwambire contested the Ganze parliamentary seat on ODM ticket in the August 9 elections but lost.

There was drama during the voting exercise on as some of the MCAs protested that the voting process was not done in accordance with the Assembly standing orders.

Mwambire takes over from former speaker Jimmy Kahindi, who did not defend his seat.

In his maiden speech, Mwambire promised to serve both the majority and minority in the Assembly.

Kericho County

For Kericho County Assembly, Dr Patrick Mutai has been sworn in as the Speaker garnering 31 votes against his closest competitor the immediate former Speaker Dominic Rono who garnered 16 votes.

The immediate former finance executive outsmarted Dominic Rono, who was seeking re-election as a Speaker for a second term.

[Boniface Gikandi Isiag Gwengi, Osinde Obare, Mike Ekutan, Marion Kithi, Titus Too and Julius Chekwony]

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