Millicent Omanga’s race for the deputy speaker position appears to have come to an end following a press release from the Senate indicating that she was not among the candidates cleared to vie for the position.
In the statement by Senate Clerk J.M Nyegenye, only five candidates were cleared to vie for the seat that fell vacant following the ouster of Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki.
“As at the close of the nomination period, a total of five nomination papers for election to the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the Senate had been returned to the office of the clerk of the Senate,” the release read in part.
The candidates cleared to run are senators, Charles Reubenson Kibiru (Kirinyaga), Stewart Mwachiru Madzayo (Kilifi), Isaac Mwaura (nominated), Prof Margaret Kamar (Uasin Gishu) and Judith Pareno (nominated).
“Nomination papers were not returned by the following candidate (Millicent Omanga) in respect of whom nomination papers had been collected,” Nyagenye noted.
The Senate clerk noted that a total of six nomination papers had been collected but only five were returned.
“Completed nominated papers, together with the curriculum vitae of each candidate and relevant supporting documents were to be returned no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2020,” he stated.
Speaker Kenneth Lusaka had on Tuesday, May 26 gazetted the removal of Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki from the position and invited senators interested in the post to pick nomination papers.
The five remaining candidates will now battle it out in an election that shall be held at the sitting of the Senate scheduled on Tuesday, June 2 at 2:30 p.m.
The House standing orders indicate that for one to clinch the seat, they need at least two-thirds majority of the votes.
In the event, none of the candidates is able to marshal the votes required, the candidates with first and second-highest number of votes will face off in the second round of voting where the one with the majority of the votes wins.
