Five people including immediate former Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Prof. Philip Kaloki have been cleared to contest for Makueni County Assembly Speaker position on Wednesday at the first sitting of the Assembly.
Former speakers Stephen Ngelu and Douglas Mbilu also are among those cleared for the highly contested seat. Also in the race are Dennis Mung’ata and Muema Ndungi.
“Eight persons had expressed interest for the Speaker’s position, but only six presented their nomination papers but five qualified to vie for the seat after meeting all the requirements,” said Makueni County Assembly Clerk Kevin Mutuku at the assembly building in Wote.
He said one aspirant who had applied for the position failed to meet the requirements while two people did not return their nominations papers.
“Mr. Jinaani Nzioki Mbiuva was however not cleared having failed to meet some requirements set out for candidates while Mr. Japheth Katumo and Mr. Justus Mutunga Mutuku did not return their nomination papers,” said Mutuku.
Consequently, Mutuku said they were ready to conduct the elections immediately after the swearing in exercise of 48 MCAs on Wednesday morning.
“We have made all the preparations for the speaker elections. All voting materials are ready and the five candidates have been cleared by the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission,” he added.
Prof. Kaloki was the running mate of Polycarp Igathe for the Nairobi Gubernatorial seat under Azimio la Umoja but lost to Johnson Sakaja of Kenya Kwanza.
By Ronald Rono
