Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Thursday, September 8, withdrew his candidature for Senate Speaker race, leaving six other contestants to battle it out.

While reading out the names of all seven candidates who had been fronted for the position, Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye informed the newly sworn-in senators that Musyoka had revealed his decision to withdraw from the race in a letter.

“A candidate may by written notice withdraw his or her candidature before the ballot is started. In this regard, I wish to draw the attention of the Senate to the fact that this morning, September 8, his excellency Stephen Musyoka withdrew his candidature for the position of Speaker of the Senate and his name will accordingly not be appearing in the ballot,” he said.

The six contestants to battle it out for the Speaker’s seat are Isaac Aluochier, George Bush, Fredrick Karuri, Amason Kingi, Beatrice Kinyua and George Kuria.

Kalonzo Musyoka had been fronted by Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, while Amason Kingi, the former Governor of Kilifi County, had been proposed by the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.