Senate speaker candidate Ken Lusaka. [Photo/People Daily]
Just after Senators in the Senate finished taking their oath of office, the second business before them is the voting for a new speaker and his deputy who will lead the house.
Three, top candidates in the race include former Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, who enjoys Jubilee Party support, the second is immediate speaker Ekwe Ethuro and NASA's Farah Maalim.
However, NASA senators led by Siaya's James Orengo and Makueni's Mutula Kilonzo have said Lusaka should be barred from vying based on Senate PAC report that recommended his removal from office.
The NASA senators argued that Lusaka falls short of the chapter six requirement for public service officers.
But in a quick response, Tharaka-Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki defended Lusaka asking Senate clerk Jeremiah Nyengenye to dismiss the point of order as the election of the Speaker is provided for by the Constitution.
however, Nyengenye ruled in favor of Lusaka saying the question of eligibility is a matter subject to judicial proceedings.
Latest reports indicate that Lusaka is winning the position. The former governor has won round one of the polls scooping 40 votes against 23 by his closest rival Farah Maalim.
The winner should get at least 45 votes out of the available 67.