Former Migori Senator Dr Wilfred Machage and Clerk to Senate, Jeremiah Nyegenye, August 25, 2017. [Photo|@gmachage ]
Former Migori Senator Dr Wilfred Machage has officially joined the race to be the country's Senate Speaker in 12th parliament.
This is after he submitted his application to succeed current Speaker Ekwee Ethuro, who also seeks to defend the seat.
Machage who unsuccessfully vied for Kuria West parliamentary seat, after Jubilee Party's Mathias Robi retained it, in the just concluded general elections, said he was fit for the position since he gave the best in government and Speakers’ Panel as a senator, in the 11th parliament.
His application was received and approved by Clerk to Senate, Jeremiah Nyegenye, who congratulated him for showing interest in the position, Friday afternoon.
However, Machage who decamped to the Democratic Party from ODM, is also facing competition from Kisii Senate seat loser and defunct CIC chairman Charles Nyachae, of the Jubilee Party.
Reports however indicate Jubilee has dropped Nyachae for the seat, and is fronting Finance minister Chris Obure, after he lost to James Ongwae of ODM, in the race for Kisii governorship post.
For the Deputy Speaker post, Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi who retained his seat for a second term, will face newly-elected Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, who is a former Nakuru County Assembly Speaker. Both are members of the Jubilee Party.
Elections for the seats, including those of the National Assembly, will be held Thursday August 31, according to a gazette notice by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who directed that the first sitting of the 12th Parliament of both National and Senate Assembly, be held from 2:30pm.