Marende (ODM) is Speaker of the Kenyan National Assembly PDF  | Print |  E-mail
Written by Kiddi   
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 11:15
P resident Kibaki officially convenes Parliament today.  [LAST UPDATE: Time in Kenya: Jan 15th, 11:50 pm]

(scroll to the bottom for updates)

Two hundred and seven members of parliament elect are now in the Chamber at the main Parliament Buildings as they await the arrival of President Kibaki.

Paramilitary police surround the parliament.

They will later on be voting on the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, voting is by secret ballot. They will file towards the ballot box alphabetic order.

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Raila Odinga takes the seat of the opposition, while ODM mp-elects are seated on the opposition benches.

President Kibaki is on the presidential seat.

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Kamukunji, Kilgoris and Wajir North constituencies still do not have members of parliament as they have not been elected. Also parties have nominated their 12 nominated members of parliament, however the Electoral Commission of Kenya has not yet gazetted them so they will not vote.

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Mp James Orengo contests the clerks standing rules. According to Orengo's parliamentary proceedings, there is no indication that voting of the speaker should be done by secret ballot. He also contests the order of voting.

The clerk, Samuel Ndindiri says that he has no authority to change standing orders so they will proceed with the secret ballot.

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Kibaki casts his ballot. Raila Odinga casts his votes next. As they vote, some members of parliament wave their ballot paper to show who they have voted for. Other members of parliament are loudly protesting the showing of ballot as they are supposed to be "secret ballot".

Voting is interrupted as member of parliament William Ruto also complains about the secret ballot as he also claims that the clerk has changed the standing order as this is not valid. 

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The clerk then clarifies that it is his interpretation that they should vote in secret ballot. He says that this will not negatively influence one's vote. 

Mp elect Mutula Kilonzo urges for secret ballot as he says the Speaker should not know how each member of parliament voted so that he can be impartial in the House order of business.

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Voting continues amid heckling.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka ask members of parliament not to compound mistakes made in recent history.

Mp elect Ole Ntimama also speaks to voting on secret ballot.

Orengo once again asks the clerk to indicate where standing orders show voting of secret ballot. He also asks the clerk to show precedent by previous speakers where they have ruled for voting secret ballot.

Mp-elect Martha Karua speaks for voting by secret ballot. 

The clerk seeks direction from Parliament.

VP Musyoka urges the clerk to direct the house since noone has been sworn in. "I cannot participate in a flawed process."

Anyong Nyongo--" Kalonzo says he cannot be involved in a flawed process yet he has accepted the position of vice president."  

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Mp elect Sam Ongeri urges members of parliament to vote with their conscience since " members of my community have been butchered for how they voted."

Mp elect George Saitoti, "This is a sad moment. Guiding principle is that voting of speaker on secret ballot so that the Speaker cannot be in fear of intimidation."

Attorney General Amos Wako speaks on the voting method. "Election of the Speakers in the House of Commons: There is no expressed position on how to vote for the Speaker of the House in the standing order. However, according to the House of Commons, from the Power and Privileges Act, that secret ballot should be used.

Orengo offers a solution, " We are not afraid losing the election. We shall vote as the clerk says. Let's go ahead and vote."

Kalonzo, "I move that we restart."

Clerk, "We will continue voting on secret ballot. We shall start all over again." 

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The previous ballots are destroyed as members of parliament look on.

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Members of parliament are talking and mingling on the floor as they wait for voting to restart. 

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Kibaki and Raila cast their votes.

In alphabetical order the other members of parliament elect begin to cast their votes. 

(There is some heckling, however, it is not clear what they are making noise about!) 

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Voting is going on smoothly. 

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An mp shows his ballot and is booed-- more heckling and a call for restart of the votes. However, the clerk decides to continue voting.

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Last vote has been cast. Ballots will be counted in the open, in full view of all. All ballot papers are dropped on the table.

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1st Round--This round needs two thirds majority to win. 

Kaparo, Francis (PNU candidate)-- 99 votes

Marende, Kenneth (ODM candidate)- 104 votes

Kalembe Ndile- 2 votes

Wanyiri Ngiri-0 votes

Njoki Ndung'u-0 votes  

2 spoilt votes 

Total- 207 votes

2nd Round of voting begins. This is a run off between the top two candidates and needs a two thirds majority to declare a winner.

President Kibaki and ODM leader Raila have cast their votes. Voting continues in alphabetic order.

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Second round of voting is done. Counting is underway. 

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2nd Round votes-- This round needs two thirds majority to win.

Kaparo, Francis (PNU candidate)- 102 votes

Marende, Kenneth (ODM candidate)-  104 votes

In the previous update I had indicated that the second round is a run off. It seems all the other candidates were on the ballot as well.

 However, the third ballot will now be a run off between the two top candidates

                                              -------------------------------------------------- 

President Kibaki and ODM leader Raila have cast their votes. Voting continues in alphabetic order. 

                                         ------------------------------------------------------- 

Voting is still going on as members of parliament elect quietly caucus. 

                                    ------------------------------------------------------------ 

In related news, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan delays his trip to Kenya as he has severe flu. Annn was expected in Kenya today to mediate between President Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

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According to Al Jazeera, Kofi Annan has collapsed. (thanks for the tip Magothe)

All members of parliament elect have cast their ballot. We now await counting as observers from PNU and ODM watch on. 

                                       --------------------------------------------------------------

Even though each side has two agents to count the votes, many of the other members of parliament are surrounding the ballot area. The Clerk asks them to move away and let them count. They are not budging. It is not clear what the noise is about. They are all saying something to him. 

                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Kaparo, Francis (PNU candidate)- 101 votes

Marende, Kenneth (ODM candidate)-  105 votes 

                                                      ------------------------------------------------ 

Speaker Kenneth Marende begins his first official business after swearing by officiating over the elections of the Deputy Speaker. 

                                             --------------------------------------------------------- 

 Farah Maalim is the new Deputy Speaker.

Farah Maalim- 105 votes

Imanyara-99 votes

Spoilt votes- 1 votes

The voting was due for a second round (for the two thirds majority win), however, Imanyara conceded defeat allowing only Maalim's name on the ballot.

                                       [UPDATE: Time in Kenya: Jan 15th, 11:50 pm]

Written on Tuesday, 15 January 2008 11:15 by Kiddi

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Thanks!!
written by Chiefouko , January 15, 2008
I have been waiting with nervously, jus waiting to see how exactly Kibbs team wants to steal this.

Thank you!!
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Nervous
written by a guest , January 15, 2008
The whole nation is holding its breath!!
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written by aeichener , January 15, 2008
The secret ballot thing is interesting, and quite typical for ODM's schoolyard bullying tactics (little doubt however that PNU would try to employ similar tactics if they were in the majority). The secret ballot is intended to protect a minority, and to counter-act the intimidating effect of a (supposed, but maybe not real) majority. From this follows, that secreat ballotting (unless explicitly prohibited) is always in order when a minority, maybe even when a single voter demands it.

As to the power thing behind it, government had previously cajoled and negotiated support for its preferred speaker candidate, and likely some such support is to be expected also from MPs who had been elected on an ODM ticket.

Lastly, his attempts show how much Orengo - a good and honest man once - has compromised his principles since the time (8 years ago) when he was roughed up by Raila's goons for being steadfast.

Alexander
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written by kepam , January 15, 2008
all in all everyone just say a prayer as we hold our breath, our country is more important than any of the politicians.
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written by kenyanese , January 15, 2008
The only medicine for Kenya is the removal of Mwai Kibaki. The sooner the better.
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written by orantez , January 15, 2008
Give peace a chance, be civil and try not to be judgemental/paranoid. To pre-conclude that secret ballot is so that to facilitate rigging is just out there!!
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written by okuujames , January 15, 2008
This is wonderfull
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written by okuujames , January 15, 2008
there will be no peace without justice and equity in kenya. orantez should not confuse calm for peace
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written by Koyolla , January 15, 2008
Hi, this is really one of the most historic periods in our country. Change is eminent everywhere including the institution that's the Parliament.
The elected MPS should make radicals ammendments to the Constitution and electoral laws so that these power-hungry protagonists who don't want mediation are completely trimmed of the immense powers they are boasting of. Next should be the Judiaciary- then ODM shall have faith in the system of justice. I join call for calm and peace.
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Accountant
written by Mkenya kamili , January 15, 2008
This shows that our mps are really keen on starting to earn a salary Very greedy guys. WHY DONT THEY (Kibaki & Raila) come together and mediate outside parliament. Raila is even seated on the opposition side - H accepts defeat to start earning allowances and salary but not to stop the violence thru mass action
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written by aeichener , January 15, 2008
Being seated on a specific side - for the time being - means no concession. Presently, and until the election is nullified by judicial decision, or a new election is held, he *is* in opposition.

As to mass action, ODM are walking a dangerous path. Less and less civil society will participate in these (because they will have to work, to earn their living), and more and more previously genuine protesters will just be replaced by paid hecklers and idlers (and rioters...), alas.

Alexander
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written by a guest , January 15, 2008
You rock man. Keep us posted!!
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written by Koyolla , January 15, 2008
Brother it is not in Raila's mandate to quell the violence allegedly fuelled by his supporters.

Kenyans from all the walks of life are angry at the Police state that they find themselves, after voting for change and reforms which both the political leaders promised during the campaigns.

They are incensed by the manner they are being brutally murdered, clobbered and tear-gassed when trying to exercise the only fundamental right they have - Right to association, Assembly and Expression.

They are the ones that want their leader to stand firm lest they loose faith and trust in him. Tell them anything they don't want to hear and they are up at you.

That's why calm is slowly returning but peace is still elusive until the genesis of the problem is found and amicably dealt with. This will bring back the confidence in our institutions.
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written by a guest , January 15, 2008
In political science we talk about negative peace and positive peace. negative peace is the abscence of war. Positive peace is the abscence of the preconditions for war e.g. social inequality. For more than 40 years Kenya has lived in a situation of negative peace. The question is how high a premium is high enough to make the transition to a positive peace?
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kenyans need justice
written by benard , January 15, 2008
To the MPs: even as you vote and fight over the voting pattern in parliament,just remember we still remember about your hefty salary.
Please do something about it. The more the salary,the more the conflict out here.
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written by InSidious , January 15, 2008
Karua is busy texting..........I wonder
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Updates
written by Kiddi , January 15, 2008
I am watching KTN online through Africast.tv. Unfortunately I do not have images. I saw Uhuru and Anyang Nyongo laughing and talking to each other like the jolly good friends they are. If only someone could take that shot and send that image to all those areas where their supporters are hurting each other!
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written by a guest , January 15, 2008
where are you watching this man?! Can we get the images anywhere online?!

(Not "man". Kiddi here is a female name, just think of "Kill Bill" Beatrix Kiddo ;-). Ed.)
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written by a guest , January 15, 2008
apologies...no offence intended! the same thing happens to me a lot of the time this anonymous is also a woman!
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written by ciru , January 15, 2008
Interestingly to see our honorable MPs are out of the caves from where they were hiding while violence rocked Kenya. It just shows where their interests lie. Kenyans if there is anything to learn from what has transpired the last few weeks, it is the fact that those MPs you were dying for do not give a damn about you.
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written by Claus , January 15, 2008
Could someone please explain what to expect from the next rounds? From your updates I learned that a two thirds majority is required in round 2, is it two thirds of the elected MPs present (that would be two thirds of 207) or two thirds of the number of constituencies? What about later rounds, according to an article in the standard a simple majority of 138 MPs-elect is necessary and after reading the results of the first round such an outcome seems more than unlikely. Does that mean that in all likelihood there will be no new spaeker today?

Claus
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written by Claus , January 15, 2008
Thanks for the fast reply (and sorry for my ignorance but as a German I don't know too much when it comes to details of the Kenyan system). I just realized that the 138 mentioned in this article from the Standard is exactly the two thirds majority of 207 votes, so their sentence "Both parties have an uphill task of garnering a simple majority of 138 MPs-elect
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written by a guest , January 15, 2008
Kofi Anna trip delayed!
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Al Jazeera.net/ english Annan
written by magothe , January 15, 2008
Kwani Kenyans ni walogi?
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written by Skivist , January 15, 2008
Claus,
Kenya has 207 MPs currently. A simple majority would be 104 votes.
138 would be a two-thirds majority
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The Standard?
written by kenyan , January 15, 2008
One cannot, sadly, rely on the Standard.
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written by aeichener , January 15, 2008
Truly bad luck for parliament and for the Kenyan people, only a lucky strike for the government. :-((

Alexander
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written by a guest , January 15, 2008
I don't understand Alexander. Why is this bad luck for the Kenyan people? Marende was the ODM candidate wasn't he? If ODM wins one battle won't that make them more cooperative in terms of calling off the mass protests etc?
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Quick Q
written by a guest , January 15, 2008
How are The Government responding to the result?
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Response
written by kenyan , January 15, 2008
for some reason they keep showing Martha Karua's disappointed face. Woiye she looks soo sad.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 07:53
 

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