Senate Speaker race: Why Azimio senators staged walkout, boycotted voting

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General and newly-elected Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said senators allied to Azimio la Umoja won't be taking part in what he termed a "fraudulent process".

"We have not been given the opportunity to interrogate the qualifications and suitability of the candidates. We don't feel the need to sanitise an already-corrupt process," said Sifuna.

Earlier, Kalonzo Musyoka, who was fronted as Azimio's pick for the Senate Speaker, withdrew his candidature hours before the election, to the surprise of many.

Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye told the newly sworn-in senators that Musyoka, in a letter dated September 8, 2022, and addressed to his office, revealed his decision to withdraw from the race.

A senator was heard shouting in disbelief "what?" after Nyegenye's announcement of Musyoka's withdrawal.

Pursuant to Standing Order Number 8, a candidate may, by written notice to the clerk, withdraw his or her candidature before a ballot is started.

There were six candidates eyeing the Senate Speaker seat. They are Isaac Aluochier, George Bush, Fredrick Karuri, Amason Kingi, Beatrice Kinyua, and George Kuria.