The walkout
A section of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Members of Parliament walked out of Parliament chambers as the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, Njuguna Ndung’u began reading the FY 2023/24 budget.
According to Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, the opposition does not recognise the FY 2023/24 budget saying that it does not serve the Kenyan people.
“Azimio does believe in this budget. We do not think this is a budget meant for the Kenyan people. It is a budget meant for the Kenya Kwanza government so until we get a budget that is founded on the premise of the Kenyan people we will not participate,” he said.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Junet Mohamed and Babu Owino were among MPs that walked out of the reading.
Disciplinary action
Twenty-eight members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are facing disciplinary action for defying the party’s position on the Finance Bill 2023 which was tabled for debate in Parliament on Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Thursday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna noted that the party had since written show-cause letters to the 28 members who either voted for the bill or were absent during the voting exercise.
“The Party is in receipt of many complaints from its general membership regarding the conduct of its members of National Assembly during yesterday’s vote on the Finance Bill, 2023.”
“In line with the Party’s disciplinary rules, notices to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken have been issued to the said members. They are expected to respond within the next 48 hours,” reads the statement.
The controversial Bill, which has been strongly opposed by the opposition, sailed through the second reading on Tuesday evening with 176 MPs supporting it against 81 who opposed it.
According to the statement by Sifuna, the Azimio MPs who voted for the Bill include; Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris, Aden Adow Mohamed (Wajir South MP), Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo (Gem MP) and Caroli Omondi (Suba MP).
The ODM MPs who were absent during the vote include;
1. John Mbadi – Nominated
2. Said Buya Hiribae, MP, Galole Constituency
3. Mohamed Abdikadir Hussein, MP, Lagdera Constituency
4. Paul Ekwom Nabuin, MP, Turkana North Constituency
5. John Namoit Ariko, MP, Turkana South Constituency
6.Hamisi Kakuta Maimai, MP, Kajiaodo East Constituency
7. Parashina Samuel Sakimba, MP, Kajiado South Constituency
8. Titus Khamala Mukhawana, MP, Lurambi Constituency
9. Johnson Naicca Manya, MP, Mumias West Constituency
10. Peter Oscar Nabulindo, MP, Matungu Constituency
11. Nicholas Scott Tindi Mwale, MP, Butere Constituency
12. Christopher Wangaya Aseka, MP, Khwisero Constituency
13. Joseph Maero Oyula, MP, Butula Constituency
14. Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo, MP, Funyula Constituency
15. Gideon Ochanda Ogolla, MP, Bondo Constituency
16. Paul Otiende Amollo, MP, Rarieda Constituency
17. Eve Akinyi Obara, MP, Kasipul Constituency
18. Paul Abuor, MP, Rongo Constituency
19. Ogolla Mark Nyarnita, MP, Uriri Constituency
20. Daniel Ogwoka Manduku, MP, Nyaribari Masaba Constituency
21. Phelix Odiwuor Kodhe, MP, Lang’ata Constituency
22. Francis Tom Joseph Kajwang, MP, Ruaraka Constituency
23. Paul Ongili Babu Owino, MP, Embakasi East Constituency
24. Irene Nyakerario Mayaka – Nominated
By Wanjiru Mbaru