Ford Kenya party leader and former Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula was yesterday elected speaker of the National Assembly.
Wetangula has replaced outgoing speaker Justin Muturi who served as the speaker of the 12th parliament.
Many people have been curious as to why the former Senator as Papa Wa Roma.
Below are some of the hilarious reaction comments.
@RepublicKenyan: The title came after Weta once stole the Pope's ring while the Pope was asleep - that's before he conned the Emirati King of billions - that's after he swindled the Tokyo Kenya embassy house - that's before......... the least is endless!!
@peterkirambi: He served in the Roman empire in early 1820's.
@malovah_fred: Akilimwa na wife he used to seek refuge in Rome Embassy.
@anthonykyal: Tukisoma na yeye Form 6 alikuwa CU chairman under catholic. Father mmoja akatembelea shule yetu, and omwami was to welcome him for some scripture. Shida ya matamshi ikaingililia, "Father from Rome " badala aseme "baba kutoka Roma" ikangeuka ikawa papa wa Roma. Nickname pap
@brianwairimu: He is Catholic. And actually wanted to join Seminary!
@BCherich: He usually makes reference to Rome as well as the pope(papa). Therefore, We people of Bungoma, decided that he gets the name.
@MosesNaliakho: He wanted to be a Catholic father before joining politics
@HoseaBarasa1: Because in his childhood, he was an Altar boy. Raised in a Christian family, a Catholic
The former Senator garnered 215 votes against Kenneth Marende’s 130 votes in the first round of voting at the senate chambers.
Wetangula was fronted by President-elect William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza camp. He was declared winner by acting National Assembly Clerk Serah Kioko after Marende conceded defeat.
"I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the honourable members here assembled, for the high honour that you have bestowed upon me by electing me the Speaker of this August House," Wetagula said in his acceptance speech.
Adding that; "I accept and submit to your will and I'm ready to serve as the eighth Speaker of the National Assembly since our independence,”.
Earlier before the announcement of Marende's concession, MPs had gone into the second round of voting to elect the Speaker after the first round of voting failed to produce an outright winner.
Wetangula went on to commend all the candidates who had expressed interest in becoming speaker of the National Assembly.
“I commend all the citizens who expressed interest in becoming your Speaker by formally returning their nomination papers, and laud the efforts of my worthy opponent in today’s election; Kenneth Otiato Marende, who also happens to have been one of my distinguished predecessors having served as the 7th Speaker. I am internally humbled and extremely privileged to now occupy this hallowed seat.” he added.
Why do you think Wetangula is called Papa Wa Roma?
President Ruto meets Ambassador Mo Farah at State House