Reports indicate that Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has withdrawn from the Senate Speaker race.

The withdrawal came minutes before voting kicked off. It was announced by the clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyagenye. Moments after the withdrawal was announced, Senators allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition staged a walkout.

Kalonzo first sent the application to become the Speaker of the National Assembly. He went to parliament and picked the necessary papers.

Hours later, he also picked application papers for the position of Speaker of The Senate. He then withdrew from both races.

On Wednesday, he was convinced by the Azimio la Umoja coalition to vie for the Senate Speaker position. He agreed and returned to Senate where he picked papers again.

Kalonzo had initially dropped out to avoid what his party deemed as inevitable humiliation during voting in parliament.

Apparently, the Wiper party National Executive Council convened at the party’s headquarters and convinced their party leader to drop his bid and focus on building his brand.

The majority of the party’s MPs stated that the Azimio la Umoja coalition does not have enough numbers to push Kalonzo’s candidature through.

Uhuru goes on a rant over Ruto, Kenya Kwanza win

Kalonzo had been fronted for the Senate Speaker position by the Azimio la Umoja coalition. The coalition has also fronted former Speaker Kenneth Marende for the position of National Assembly Speaker.

The two will face off with Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi who are being fronted by the Kenya Kwanza coalition.