How Kenya Kwanza MPs defied President Ruto on EALA elections

Michael Majanga for Tv47 Digital November 18, 2022, 12:49 PM

Kenya Kwanza MPs defy Ruto — A file photo of President William Ruto. Kenya Kwanza MPs on November 17, 2022 defied his lineup during the EALA elections. PHOTO/COURTESY

In Summary

Kenya Kwanza - the majority coalition in the bicameral Parliament - had five slots while the opposition - Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition - had four slots.
A section of Kenya Kwanza MPs defied President William Ruto's line-up during a PG meeting at State House the day before elections.

On the morning of November 16 2022, President William Ruto convened a Kenya Kwanza Alliance Parliamentary Group meeting at State House, Nairobi.

There were several agendas to be discussed during the PG meeting, but the core one was the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) elections in Parliament the following day (November 17).

Kenya Kwanza - the majority coalition in the bicameral Parliament - had five slots while the opposition - Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition - had four slots.

After the PG meeting, President Ruto had whipped the Kenya Kwanza lawmakers (MPs and Senators) and it was agreed that the five slots will go to Hassan Omar, Zipporah Kering, David Ole Sankok, Frank Muteti and Falhada Dekow Iman.

President Ruto's close confidant and digital strategist Dennis Itumbi confirmed this line-up. All the other remaining 10 candidates to pull out of the race as they would be accommodated in "other government position."

Secret ballot

But the next day, there came a secret ballot. When National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss read out the results after a tedious voting exercise, indeed the Kenya Kwanza MPs had defied President Ruto.

Despite President Ruto providing his lineup, the MPs went ahead to vote for former MP Iringo Kubai and Geoffrey Mwangi Maina 'Karobia'.

Here are final Kenya Kwanza EALA election results

Hassan Omar (253), Zipporah Kering (223), David Sankok (217), Geoffrey Mwangi aka Maina Karobia (213), Charles Muteti (189), Iringo Kubai (188), and Iman Falhada (181).

Karobia and Iringo, despite not being in President Ruto's lineup, were voted overwhelmingly. Kubai lost by a slim margin.

Consequently, Frank Muteti failed to go to EALA because of the gender-balance principal. The final Kenya Kwanza candidates picked for EALA were Hassan Omar, Zipporah Kering, David Sankok, Maina Karobia and Falhada Iman.