Kenya Kwanza Gets More Nominated Seats in Parliament

President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza has bagged the majority of nominated seats in the National Assembly.

The alliance has seven of the twelve nominated seats,  with UDA securing five, Amani National Congress (ANC) and the United Democratic Movement (UDM) getting one seat each.

Raila Odinga’s ODM bagged three seats, Jubilee secured one seat while Kalonzo’s Wiper Democratic Movement also got one seat.

Those in UDA include Jackson Kipkemoi Kosgei, Teresia Wanjiru Mwangi, Abdisirat Khalif Ali, Dorothy Muthoni Ikaria and Joseph Wainaina Iraya.

Kenya’s Supreme Court judges file into the chamber during the opening of the 11th Parliament in the capital Nairobi April 16, 2013

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ANC will be represented by Joseph Hamisi Denart  while the UDM will be represented by Suleka Hulbale Harun.

ODM nominated MPs include Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, former Suba South lawmaker John Mbadi, who is also ODM chair, and Umulkher Mohamed. Ex-Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege will represent the outgoing ruling party.

Notably, the name submitted by Wiper was withheld. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) explained that the matter was still in court

“Not allocated due to the interim court order restraining the Commission from allocating the seat,” read the Gazette Notice by IEBC.

UDA was allocated eight slots of women nominated to the senate.  They were divided among Secretary-General Veronica Maina, Karen Nyamu and former Kajiado East legislator Peris Tobiko.

Others include Gloria Magoma Orwoba, Joyce Chepkoech Korir,  Maureen Tabitha Mutinda Roselinda Soipan Tuya,  and Miraj  Abdillahi Abdulrahman.

ODM’s interests in the senate will be pushed by its National Elections Chairperson Catherine Mumma, Beatrice  Oyomo, Hamida Kibwana, Betty  Batuli Montet and Beth Kalunga.

Margaret Kamar (Jubilee), Mariam Sheikh Omar  (UDM) and Shakila Abdalla Mohamed (Wiper) will also sit in the senate.

The youth will have their interests backed by Hezena Lemaletian  (ODM) and Raphael Mwinzagu (UDA) while Crystal Asige (ODM) and George Mungai Mbugua (UDA) will stand in for persons with disabilities.

Out of the 32 seats, Kenya Kwanza bagged 18 seats against Azimio’s 14. UDA secured the most seats (15) followed by ODM (10).

Notable names who missed out on nomination include former Starehe MP Charles Njagua, ex-Laikipia County Woman Rep. Cate Waruguru, former Nominated Senator  Isaac Mwaura, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Nairobi governor Anne Kananu and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s sister  Kristina Wambui Pratt.

From left: Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru and Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura, at the funeral service of the Late James Reriani Gachagua, brother to Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua at Hiriga village, Nyeri County on May 17, 2022

Cate Waruguru