ODM MPs in trouble for voting in favour of the finance bill

By Peter Ochieng

A host of Members of Parliament (MPs) elected on the ODM party ticket are in trouble.

According to a statement from the party , which is headed by Raila Odinga, disciplinary action has been instituted against the legislatures for voting in favour of the finance bill, 2023.

Similarly, other legislatures aligned to the Orange party will face the music for a no show in the National Assembly, when a vote was taken on the bill on Wednesday afternoon.

176 MPs voted in favour of the bill, while 81 voted against.

Four ODM MPs voted in favour of the bill.

They are Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, Wajir South MP Aden Mohamed, Gem South MP Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo and Caroli Omondi, the Suba North MP.

The lawmakers went against Odinga's word to vote against the bill.

In a letter dated 15th June, 2023, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said over 10 MPs elected on the party ticket were not in the House on Wednesday.

They include Chairman John Mbadi (nominated), Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Peter Oscar Nabulindo (Matungu), Tindi Mwale (Butere) and Paul Otiende Amollo.

Speaking on Thursday, Passaris denied claims that he has joined Kenya Kwanza, by virtue of having voted in favour of the bill.

She said she is in ODM and Azimio La Umoja One Kenya to stay.

“Mimi bado niko Azimio na niko ODM, nimekuwa ODM tangu 2007; (Iam still in Azimio and ODM. I have been in ODM since 2007)," she said.

On why she voted for the bill against the wishes of his party boss, she said:

"What I want to say is that we can’t work without money. Our country has got a long journey. We don’t want austerity measures to be brought by lenders. We have to stand so that as the other MPs from both sides demand CDF, NGAAF and ask for roads or hospitals, that requires money.”

The finance bill will be back in the National Assembly for the third reading next week.