On Wednesday, June 14, a majority of National Assembly members voted to forward the contentious Finance Bill 2023 to the second reading stage.
Kenyans from all around the country watched intently as their MPs voted to determine the destiny of the Bill, which has dominated the country’s political discourse for months.
The Bill was defeated after a tense debate between opponents and supporters, who were defined by their allegiance with Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance and President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza party, respectively.
At least 176 MPs voted in favor of the Bill, which, among other things, advocates a 1.5% mandatory housing charge proposed by Azimio la Umoja’s Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.
On the other hand, 81 MPs connected with Azimio la Moja, including an opposing voice in Kenya Kwanza’s Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, voted against the bill’s passage to the next round of reading.
There was no abstention in the Wednesday, June 14, evening session
Just as Passaris believes the Bill is good for Kenyans, Wamuchomba believes the Bill is a burden to Kenyans, already struggling to breathe due to a heavy taxation load on their backs and an extravagantly spending government if Ruto’s economic advisor David Ndii’s argument is anything to go by.
Notably though, was the conspicuous absence of Azimio la Umoja MPs who had opposed the Bill in public forums, rallies and social media sites but for reasons yet to be revealed, did not make it to the chambers to vote on Wednesday afternoon.
Their absence ignited heated debates on social media sites with Azimio la Umoja supporters painting them as turncoats and unpatriotic for not showing up when it really mattered.
As Kenyans affiliated to the Opposition praised the 81 MPs who voted for the Bill and branded them heroes and patriots, their resentment to those who voted for the policy and those who missed the vote was visible.
Here is a list of Azimio la Umoja Kenya Kwanza MPs who missed to show up in the chambers to vote against or for the Finance Bill 2023:
- Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, elected on Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). She is serving a two-week suspension.
- Butere MP Tindi Mwale, who was elected on an ODM ticket.
- Butula MP Joseph Oyula, also elected on an ODM ticket.
- Dadaab MP Farah Maalim who was elected on Wiper Democratic Movement ticket.
- Embakasi East MP Babu Owino of ODM party.
- Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, elected on ODM ticket.
- Galole MP Hirbae Said of ODM party also.
- Lurambi MP Titus Khamala, elected on ODM ticket.
- Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo of ODM.
- Matungulu MP Stephen Mule Mutinda, elected on Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) ticket.
- Mavoko MP King’ola Patrick Makau of Wiper Democratic Movement.
- Mumias East MP Peter Salaysa, elected on Azimio’s Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
- Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo of ODM is serving a two-week suspension from the National Assembly over gross misconduct.
- Ruaraka MP T J. Kajwang of ODM is also serving a suspension.
- Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu of ODM was also suspended from the National Assembly by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
Otiende Amollo was among MPs who debated and opposed the Bill during the early morning session but did not show up for voting.
Another Azimio la Umoja MP that missed the vote due to suspension is Malindi’s Amina Mnyazi who Wetang’ula erroneously referred to as Fatuma Mnyazi.
