It's a double win for Kenya Kwanza in the Senate

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and Deputy Senate Speaker Kathuri Murungi. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Kenya Kwanza Coalition carried the day after its candidates for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Senate won their respective races.

The coalition had nominated former Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi for the Speaker's post and Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi for the Deputy Speaker's position.

Before the elections, Kingi's main competitor, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, withdrew from the race.

His withdrawal meant that Kingi faced off against George Kuria, George Bush, Isaac Aluochier, Fredrick Karuri and Beatrice Kinyua.

During the elections, members allied to the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition staged a walkout, accusing Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye of dismissing their concerns.

Kingi garnered 46 votes out of the maximum 67 votes to win the Senate Speaker's seat with an absolute majority. He needed at least 45 votes to occasion a first-round declaration.

In the Deputy Speaker race, Kathuri was up against Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, who had been nominated by the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition. The two were the only candidates for the position.

Kingi was set to oversee the election of his deputy. After his acceptance speech, he alerted the senators that Madzayo had withdrawn from the race.

"I wish to draw the attention of the honourable senators that this morning, through a letter dated September 8, 2022, and addressed to the Clerk of the Senate, Senator Stewart Madzayo Mwachiro withdrew his candidature for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Senate," Kingi said.

"I, hereby forthwith, declare, Senator Murungi Kathuri to be duly elected Deputy Speaker of the Senate," said Kingi.

In his speech, Senator Madzayo congratulated Kingi on his election, saying that a lot was expected of him as the Speaker of the Senate.

Madzayo welcomed new members of the Senate, advising them to work diligently and selflessly for Kenyans.