[President Uhuru Kenyatta in a past event. He may have backed Kenneth Lusaka for Senate Speaker due to his contribution to Jubilee party in Western. Photo/Nation]
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to back former Bungoma Governor for Senate Speaker was after all expected, says Gideon Mamboleo.
Should Jubilee’s number play a major role, Lusaka is likely to be the next speaker despite a challenge by the incumbent Ekwee Ethuro.
And his perfect coordination of Jubilee campaigns in the western belt and subsequent improvement gives him credit over Ethuro whose Turkana County voted for ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“Lusaka coordinated Western region where Uhuru improved drastically compared to other regions,” he says adding that managing 12 MPs was not easy.
He adds:”Cabinet requires technocratic and Lusaka could not be absorbed if to speak. That reward was expected because it will still keep him relevant in politics.”
Initially, reports indicated that Uhuru’s team had settled on immediate outgoing Kisii Senator Chris Obure who also scored well in Gusii region.
Lusaka is now at pole position to clinch the seat but he must overcome stiff resistance from opposition and senators from other parties who may back Ethuro.