Joel Maina Kairu(in red tie)being led to the swearing in podium after he was elected Nakuru County Assembly speaker on Wednesday. Photo/PristoneMambiliThe Nakuru county assembly on Wednesday elected Joel Maina Kairu as their Speaker.
Kairu got 62 votes out of 78 in round one beating his closest rival, Subukia MP Nelson Gaichuie, who only garnered 14 votes.
The third was Ann Karigu who got only two votes.
Gaichuie was reportedly being fronted by powers within Jubilee party.
On Monday, interim Nakuru Jubilee Party chair David Manyara told MCAs not to try and elect a Speaker who is not allied to Jubilee party.
According to reliable sources, the MCAs voted in revolt of the move.
After being sworn in, the Speaker hailed his predecessor Susan Kihika.
“The journey has not been simple but the members have had their say. I must commend the first Speaker of this house for the good work she did and we are going to build on the foundation laid,” he said.
He added that the county assembly shall work closely with the senate in ensuring development in Nakuru County.
“Our oversight role should not be taken to be an affront to any force be it the executive. We shall offer effective oversight and it shall be not taken as witchhunt. This house shall work closely with the senate to ensure development,” said the Speaker.
Others who contested the speaker’s seat included Nakuru County Jubilee Branch Secretary Cheruiyot Peter Kiplangat , lawyer Bore Peter Kiprotich, the Chairman of the Nakuru County Public Service Board Dr Mutiti Waithanji and businessman Muigai Simon Ngugi who all got zero votes.
One of the contestants, Malinda Joseph Mutua who was touted as amongst the favorites pulled out of the contest last night, reportedly, following pressure from a top Jubilee bigwig.
Malinda is said to have threw his weight behind Kairu after a closed door meeting held at a prestigious hotel inside Lake Nakuru lodge.
The polls were witnessed by among others Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, his deputy Dr Eric Korir, Senator Susan Kihika, Women Rep Liza Chelule, Nominated Senator Victor Prengei, Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria , his Gilgil counterpart Martha Wangari and former Njoro MP Joseph Kiuna.