Babu Owino: We still hope finance bill fails

By Peter Ochieng

Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino insists all is not lost on their bid to shoot down the Finance Bill, 2023.

On Wednesday, 176 MPs voted in favour of the bill after amendments by the Parliamentary committee on finance and planning, against 81 who opposed.

Ongili who is serving his second term after being reelected in August, 2022 on the opposition ODM party, was among a host of legislatures missing from the National Assembly on Wednesday, during second reading of the bill.

However, the vocal lawmaker says the most crucial part of the bill is coming up next week.

"Fellow Kenyans, the main, most important, more significant and crucial stage of a bill like the finance bill is the 3rd reading stage where voting will take place for each clause. This will be next week. Bado kuna hope (still there's hope)," said Babu Owino.

On why he missed the session on Wednesday, he said:

"I was not present today (Wednesday) in Parliament because my case has been scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) in court for defense hearing and I was with my lawyer."

The MP who is very loyal to ODM party leader Raila Odinga said he can't vote in favour of the finance bill, even if directed to do so by Odinga because the bill is oppressive.

"This bill is one which is punishing Kenyans and I cannot support it. Even If baba (Raila) told me to support it, I wouldn't because of my loyalty to Kenyans. So I'm so sorry I wasn't present because of my court situation," Babu added.

The MP is battling a misuse of a firearm case at a Nairobi court.

He is accused of firing one bullet, in the process shooting Felix Orinda, popularly known as DJ Evolve at B Club in Kilimani area on 17th January, 2020.