Former Nominated MP, Hon. Njoki Ndung’u was endorsed as candidate for the job of Speaker of the 10th national Assembly.  The endorsement by the smaller Parties Parliamentary Group (SPPG) was made on Wednesday, 9th January 2008 during the second meeting of the SPPG at the Stanley hotel, Nairobi.

SPPG had also endorsed Hon. Gitobu Imanyara and Hon. Hellen Sambili as Deputy Speakers.  The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker was the first business of the House conducted when Parliament opened on Tuesday, 15th January 2008.  Both PNU and ODM had lined up candidates for the posts.The meeting, which brought together MPs elect from over 10 smaller political parties and their party leadership, had also resolved to appoint a negotiating team to engage the two major coalitions, ODM and PNU around matters of possible partnerships.  SPPG had however maintained that they would remain neutral as a Parliamentary group and would continue to act in the best interests of the Kenyan public.

If the proposal to get Hon. Njoki Ndung’u elected Speaker had succeeded, she would have become the first woman in Kenya and in the region to hold that position.  A lawyer by profession, Njoki is remembered for her gallant fight for gender laws including the Sexual Offences Act. To enable her pursue the candidature as House Speaker, Njoki resigned as Secretary General of Safina accordance with the legal requirements that a person seeking this position should be free from partisan politics.

Additionally, the SPPG appointed a Parliamentary Group comprising of the MPs elect of the respective political parties to continue the SPPG agenda in the House as well as an interim team to continue with negotiations with the ODM and PNU as appropriate. Parties represented in SPPG included, Safina, Mazingira Greens, UDM, DP, Sisi Kwa Sisi, Kenda, NFK, PPK, Ford-Asili, KADDU, KADU- Asili and CCU.  PLO Lumumba of the CCU addressed a well attended press conference where members of the SPPG shared their resolutions.  Njoki resigned as Secretary General of Safina party in compliance with the law governing the election of the Speaker of the national Assembly.

We reproduce her statement to the press on that day here below;

PRESS STATEMENT by Hon. Njoki Ndung’u

I wish to thank the Small Parties parliamentary Group (SPPG) for endorsing my candidature for the Speaker of the national Assembly. Any Candidate for Speaker, a position that should always be neutral, I hereby tender my resignation as the Secretary General of SAFINA Party. It is important for any candidate for the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly to remove themselves totally from any political party affiliation, whatsoever, in order to assure the public, of neutrality from partisan politics, and by resigning I am publicly and formally divesting from partisan politics for the purpose of his candidature.

As you are aware there is no woman in Kenya since independence has vied for this position. In fact other than South Africa and Uganda no woman Speaker has successfully been elected on the continent. I therefore urge our national leaders to lead by example by putting aside their partisan interests and voting for the first woman speaker in Kenya. I recall vividly that the leaders of the 3 bigger parties, the PNU, ODM and ODM-Kenya and all elected representatives who supported them criss-cross the country during the election campaigns pledging to increase the appointment of women to senior public positions by 50%. I believe my candidature for the Speaker is an opportunity for them to ‘walk the talk’.

I do believe that I have the necessary credentials and a proven record that reflects my independence in parliament, this being a critical characteristic for the necessary healing, reconciliation and political settlement that will reunite the country at this time. Indeed, the Speaker needs to be a neutral mediator and arbitrator in the 10th Parliament. At all times, we must think of Peace, Truth, Justice and reconciliation – this is the message Parliament must pass on to the people of Kenya.

First on my agenda upon election will be to bring the proposed revised standing orders into being, which will give parliamentary committees more autonomy and the ability to investigate the executive without bureaucratic red tape. Secondly, I wish also, with the permission of Parliament, ensure that the public have access, including televised debate of the proceedings of the House and its committees. This will ensure that MPs are held to account by their voters. I will also enhance the research capabilities of and legislative skills of MPs to ensure that more legislation that is privately sponsored can come to the floor of the house. This will greatly increase the volume of work done by Parliament and ensure that new laws particularly those relating to matters of social public interest are passed each year.

I also intend to strengthen the capacity of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA) to ensure that women and younger leaders are able to carry out their mandate more efficiently, particularly given the fact that there is increased numbers of women and young MPs.

Finally, let me thank Kenyans of all walks of life and in particular the women organizations and women’s groups, youth organizations and young persons who have been calling me for the past few days encouraging me to run for this position. I do promise that if elected I will reflect the diversity of a younger, professional and gender friendly leadership in Bunge. But let there be no misrepresentation, I am not vying because I am a woman. No. I am a candidate who is competent and qualified to be the speaker, who happens to be a woman.

NJOKI S. NDUNGU – CANDIDATE FOR SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN THE 10TH PARLIAMENT.