William Ruto, who won Aug. 9 presidential elections by a razor-thin margin, will seek to stamp his authority over the National Assembly when it elects a new speaker on Thursday.
(Bloomberg) — William Ruto, who won Aug. 9 presidential elections by a razor-thin margin, will seek to stamp his authority over the National Assembly when it elects a new speaker on Thursday.
Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition proposed Moses Wetangula, a long-serving lawmaker and former foreign minister, for speaker of the legislature — the third-most senior role in the Kenyan government after that of the president and the deputy. Wetangula faces off against Kenneth Marende, who served as speaker from 2008 to 2013 and has the backing of an alliance led by Raila Odinga, the runner-up in last month’s presidential vote.
The 349-member assembly processes funding allocations and legislation, and approves presidential appointments, including those of cabinet ministers, envoys and heads of state agencies. Having an ally oversee the chamber may smooth the path for Ruto to secure amendments to the 2022-23 national budget that was approved in April to accommodate his policy proposals, including channeling more resources to small businesses and farming.
Ruto’s ally Amason Kingi was elected speaker of the Senate, the other parliamentary chamber earlier on Thursday. Its 67 members focus mainly on matters affecting the administration of the country’s 47 counties.
Ruto is scheduled to be sworn-in as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s successor on Sept. 13.
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