Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang wants the election of the Senate speaker suspended.
Speaking on Thursday after taking his oath of office Kajwang said nominated legislators, who were gazetted on Wednesday evening, were not given an opportunity to apply for the position of deputy speaker.
“Let the foundation of this Senate not be a foundation of impunity and of denying our women opportunity to participate,” he said.
But Elgeyo Market Senator Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed his argument saying the legislator was pre-empting a debate.
“The objection he is raising is premature to the extent that this House is now discussing the election of the speaker. The issues he has raised do not touch on the election of the speaker,” he said.
Murkomen said the issue raised by Kajwang cannot be ruled on by the clerk who is currently presiding over the session pending the election of a speaker.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo said the issues raised by Kajwang were weighty and could not wait until a speaker is elected.
“There is a lacuna but we did not anticipate such a thing to arise. Clerk, you need to make a decision on this,” she said.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said Kajwang's argument was not based on the standing orders.
“I can see the attempt by Senator Kajwang. He is attempting to suspend the sitting of this house,” he said.
“Those are our standing orders. Probably those are standing orders of doing trade in fish and all those things.”
However, Khalwale was forced to withdraw the remarks after the clerk ruled him out of order.
Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye said he has the jurisdiction to rule on the matter raised by Kajwang.
Nyegenye has ruled that the election of a speaker proceeds and if there are any other matters on the election of a deputy speaker, which would be the next order, it would be discussed.
“I, therefore, rule that we proceed with the business of order no. 4 and if there will be an objection to order number 5, then it will be canvassed,” he said.
But Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni also wants the election suspended on grounds that the clerk has not made available the CVs of all candidates for the speaker and deputy speaker.
The clerk says they made available all the requirements to senators in the chambers on Wednesday.
He has directed that copies of the CVs be made available again, 'but I will not suspend the sitting"
