Ruto to Kenya Kwanza MPs: Be careful, they could arrest you to reduce our numbers in Parliament

The race for Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament is seemingly heating up, with President-elect William Ruto on Wednesday hosting members allied to his Kenya Kwanza alliance in a bid to solidify their base.

President-elect Ruto, in the meeting held at his Karen residence, advised members of the National Assembly in his camp to be wary of the days leading up to the Speaker’s seat election, alluding to a probable plot to thwart their candidate’s stab at victory by targeting their numbers.

According to Ruto, Kenya Kwanza has more members in the National Assembly as opposed to their competitors in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya fold, hence their win should be fairly guaranteed, but that no stone should be left unturned.

“We are competing with a very desperate team...I just want to let you know as Members of Parliament here. We have a very good margin of about 11 members in the National Assembly, we have other members who are not sitting here but they will vote for us, maybe another 15 towards 20…but let us not take anything for granted,” said Ruto.

“People who can use the National Security Advisory Committee to try and overturn the will of the people can do worse. They are very desperate to have the Speaker of either House. So I want to ask you, for today and tomorrow, please be careful, they could even possibly arrest some of you people just to reduce our numbers, so just be careful..”

Kenya Kwanza has fronted Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula as its candidate in the National Assembly Speaker race, with Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss as his deputy.

The duo will be battling it out with Azimio’s choice of Kenneth Marende and Dadaab MP-elect Farah Maalim.

In the Senate, on the other hand, former Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has been picked as Kenya Kwanza Alliance’s choice and Meru Senator-elect Kathure Murungi nominated as his deputy.

Azimio fronted Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the Senate Speaker seat, and forwarded ​​Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo’s name for the Senate Deputy Speaker post.

The two Houses of Parliament are set to convene for their first sittings on Thursday, during which they’re expected to take oath of office and then elect their respective Speakers afterwards.