Who Qualifies to be a Speaker of the National Assembly
On Thursday 8 September 2022, Moses Masika Wetangula became the 8th Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya elected under Article 106 (1) of the Constitution. Despite garnering 215 votes which is 18 votes short of the requisite 233 (or two-thirds) for one to assume office, 65-year-old Wetangula was declared the winner after his closest […]
What are the Roles of the Speaker of the Senate
The Speaker is bestowed the honour of being the final authority on all matters regarding…
What is the Speaker’s Panel?
The panel is appointed for the tenure of a term of parliament (five years) and may be replaced at the behest of the Speaker in consultation with the leader of the nominating party. The panel meets weekly to consider arising procedural issues and the challenges of presiding in the House with the Deputy Speaker serving as the Chairperson.
What are the Roles of the Speaker of the National Assembly
When 65-year-old Moses Masika Wetangula was elected as the Speaker of the 13th Parliament on Thursday 8 September 2022, he became the 8th Speaker in the history of the National Assembly. Others who have served in said office include Sir Humphrey Slade (1967-1970), Fred Gideon Mbiti (1970-1988), Moses Arap Keino (1988-1991), Jonathan Arap Ng’eno (1991-1993), […]
The Parliamentary Oath of Office
The Oath of Office ceremony, which is officiated by the Clerks of the respective houses, was the key moment of the day as both MPs and the Speaker, once elected, had to subscribe to the oath.
Who Qualifies to be the Deputy Speaker of the Senate
The procedure for electing a Deputy Speaker is, for the most part, the same as that prescribed for the election of the Speaker of the Senate. However, if only one candidate has been fronted for election as Deputy Speaker, that candidate is to be declared immediately as elected Deputy Speaker of the Senate without any ballot or vote being required.
Who Qualifies To Be A Speaker of the Senate
To be declared elected as Speaker, a candidate must garner votes of two-thirds or 45 of the 67 Senators in the House.
This is How to Elect a Speaker
Electing a Speaker is a thorough procedure which starts with the declaration of said vacancy by the National Assembly clerk. Ergo, a vacancy in the office of the Speaker of Parliament occurs when the House first sits after a general election. Mr Justin Muturi served as the immediate former Speaker having first been elected in 2013 and reelected in 2017, in the 11th and 12th parliaments respectively.
The History of Speakers of Parliament (Senate and National Assembly)
As the leader(s) of one arm of government, the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate are so crucial considering the two Houses cannot transact any business without a Speaker.
The Work of the Senate and the National Assembly
On 27 August 2010, a new constitution was promulgated by the third President of Kenya, the late Mwai Kibaki and with it came a bicameral system of parliament. Between 1966 and 2012 when the tenth parliament was dissolved ushering in the new system, Kenya’s parliament operated as a unicameral legislature—one house chamber with 210 elected […]
