A last minute intervention by ODM leader Raila Odinga has brought hope for Uasin Gishu Senator Margret Kamar in the battle for the vacant position of Senate Deputy Speaker.
Mr Odinga’s intervention is the reason behind Monday’s withdrawal of Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru and Kilifi’s Stewart Madzayo from the race.
Mr Kibiru said he had consulted widely and decided to withdraw from the race out of the desire to promote greater gender equity.
“At this time the President is fostering coherence in the country, it would be derelict of me not to view my victory as merely pyrrhic,” Mr Kibiru said in statement of withdrawal.
“The ongoing remake of our politics calls for sacrifice, some of which may be personal in nature.”
Mr Madzayo said he had decided to withdraw after wide consultations with his supporters, colleagues at the Senate and within the ODM party, including Mr Odinga.
“I believe my decision to no longer run for the post will advance gender equity, a spirit I passionately subscribe to,” Mr Madzayo said, adding that his decision is premised majorly on the need to continue supporting the political coherence currently being advanced by Mr Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta
A section of Jubilee senators had last week settled on Mr Kibiru to take over the seat that has been vacant since the removal of Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki two weeks ago.
But in a quick action, Mr Odinga, who sources say has become influential in the affairs of Jubilee Party, summoned the Senate top leadership to drum up support for Ms Kamar on the account of gender and in the hope it will mollify the increasingly disenchanted North Rift region in the wake of the removal of Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen as the majority leader.
