Recap Of Speaker's Election In Kenya

G.MWAKASEGE · 2008-01-16T06:33:42+00:00

Story by NATION Reporter Orange Democratic Partys Kenneth Marende is the new Speaker. * The opposition MP-elect bagged the coveted seat after managing 105 votes to his rival Francis ole Kaparos 101. * Parliamentary speaker elect Kenneth Marende On his way to victory, Mr Marende led with 104 votes during the first round of voting and a similar number on the second. However, he could not be declared winner because he did not garner the two-thirds majority required in those rounds. * The third round was based on a simple majority. * The MPs-elect now go to the second phase of todays business where they elect a Deputy Speaker. The legislators would then be sworn in as MPs. * A total of 207 MPs-elect are participating in the election.* Here is the sequence of events in the House. * ROUND ONE: * ·******** Soon after the MPs-elect are called to order and prayers are said, Ugenya MP-elect James Orengo seeks clarification from the Clerk Samuel Ndindiri on the basis of voting through secret ballot as that was not provided for in the standing orders. Mr Ndindiri answers that the orders talk of a ballot. * ·******** Voting begins and ODM MPs-elect mark their ballots and show them to their colleagues. This draws several interventions from the Government side who argue that it is against the procedures. The opposition side answers that it is their choice and that there is no provision in law against them showing each other marked ballots. * ·******** Attorney General Amos Wako says that while it may not be explicit in the rules that voting be by secret ballot, they can borrow from the House of Commons where the practice is on. * ·******** The Clerk asks that the ballots already in the box be removed and the voting to start all over again. The ballot box is moved to the dispatch area. * ·******** 3.57pm Voting resumes. * ·******** 4.25pm ODM-Kenya chairman and Minister for Information and Communication claims that ODMs George Khaniri and Joshua Orwa Ojode keep checking how MPs-elect are marking their votes. The clerk directs that the ballots be marked away from the two members * ·******** 4.31pm Opposition members make hissing sounds as Kangema MP-elect John Michuki casts his ballot, apparently in reference to Mr Michukis remark two years ago that he who rattles a snake should be ready for to be bitten when police raided the Standard Newspaper Group offices. * ·******** 5.03pm Round one voting complete. Counting starts. * ·******** 5.19pm ODMs Kenneth Marende declared winner of Round One with 104 votes. PNUs Francis ole Kaparo gets 99, Kalembe Ndile got two votes while the other two candidates, Njoki Ndungu and Wanyiri Kihoro got zero. Marendes votes do not add up to a two-thirds majority so the clerk orders a Round Two. * * ROUND TWO: * ·******** 5.26pm Round Two of voting starts with President Kibaki casting his ballot followed by ODMs Raila Odinga. * ·******** 6.00pm Voting goes on relatively smoothly. Lots of movement on the Government side. Security Minister Prof Saitoti retreats with a few colleagues to the empty benches where they consult for a few minutes. Justice Minister Martha Karua talks to Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka while fiddling with her mobile phone. * ·******** 6.29pm Voting ends and counting begins. * ·******** 6.44pm Marende is declared winner of round two with 104 votes against his closest rival Kaparos 102. Mr Kihoro gets one vote, while Ms Ndungu and Mr Ndile get none. The last three fall out of the race. * * ROUND THREE: * * ·******** 6.49pm Round Three voting begins, with only Marende and Kaparo in the race. * ·******** 7.01pm The clerk, Mr Ndindiri alerts the House that some television stations are showing how MPs-elect are marking their ballots. He warns that such journalists and media houses will be penalised. * ·******** 7.44pm Round Three voting ends, counting underway. * ·******** 7.49pm MPs-elect crowd the dispatch area to witness counting of ballots, but the clerk rules that only two members from each side should be allowed to observe the exercise. * ·******** 8.07pm Marende declared new Speaker after getting 105 votes to Mr Kaparos 101. One vote is spoilt. *

Thread starter G.MWAKASEGE
Start date Jan 16, 2008

G.MWAKASEGE

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Recap Of Speaker's Election In Kenya

G.MWAKASEGE

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