Scramble For Speakers Seat In Nairobi, Other County Assemblies

• Names Of Former Deputy Speaker Ken Ng’ondi, MCA Obonyo Konyuka And Speaker Benson Mutura Feature Prominently Among Potential Candidates.

By Adieri Mulaa

Lobbying for Speakers’ positions in the county assemblies has began in earnest as aspirants scramble for endorsement by their respective political parties.

Several individuals are also lobbying for appointment in the county executive committees after the August 9, 2022 General Election when county governments are formed.

Among those in the race include former MCAs, out-going Senators and Members of the National Assembly. Some of the sitting and former Speakers in county assemblies are also said to be up-beat for re-election.

In Nairobi, the names of former Deputy Speaker Ken Ng’ondi and former MCA Guoro Obonyo Konyuka feature prominently among those eyeing the Speaker’s seat in the county assembly at City Hall.

On the Kenya Kwanza Alliance side, House Speaker Benson Mutura is said to be the most likely nominee for the position through the UDA party of Deputy President William Ruto.

Insiders and ODM party operatives told The Times that under Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition pact, the seat of Nairobi county assembly Speaker was reserved of the Orange party.

Former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo is also said to be among those who have shown interest in Nairobi county assembly Speaker’s seat. Earlier on, former Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro was touted to be among those in the race.

However, new indications are that she had dropped that bid and opted to seek a nomination slot in the Senate.

Sources in ODM and the Jubilee Party confirmed there was a rush by individuals eyeing various positions in the county governments ahead of the General Election next month.

In Nairobi, several ODM aspirants for the county assembly Speaker’s position are canvassing for support from MCA candidates who have secured Azimio La Umoja tickets. They are also making strategic approaches to liaise with some key party officials with hopes of being favoured.

Political pundits say ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s confidant Junet Mohamed and Jubilee Party’s Jeremiah Kioni have become the most sort after party officials by those in the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition casting their nets wide for positions in the next county assemblies and county executive committees.

Lists of those eyeing positions of County Executive Committee Members (CECM) and chief officers in the county governments through ODM and Jubilee parties continue to swell by the day as the clock ticks towards the General Election.

However, a source in the Jubilee Party says the party will not consider those who have participated in the elections at any level for such positions.

Instead, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party will only assist those who opted to campaign for it under the Azimio umbrella where opportunities will be available in the county governments.

Apparently, it has also dawned upon MPs that the devolved governments have lucrative job opportunities in the county assemblies and county executive.

Many who did not make it in their respective party primaries are said to be eyeing positions in the devolved governments as fall back survival strategies.

Targeted positions include the county assembly Speakers who head the county legislatures and also chair the county assemblies service boards.

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