ODM Saves Passaris But Orders Her To Pay Ksh250,000

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Executive Committee (NEC) on Wednesday, September 6 fined Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris Ksh250,000, ordering her to pay it in 60 days.

The Woman Rep was reprimanded for openly defying the party's position on the punitive Finance Act 2023 by voting in its favour.

In a statement, the NEC also demanded that Passaris write an apology to the Raila Odinga-led party and submit it in seven days.

"That Esther Passaris, the Woman MP for Nairobi County be reprimanded for her outright defiance of the party position on the punitive Finance Bill 2023 and that she should issue a written apology to the party within seven days," the party resolved.

"On top of this, Passaris should be fined Ksh250,000 which should be paid within 60 days."

Passaris was among 28 members of the Orange Democratic Movement who defied the party and voted for the Bill on June 14. 

During the voting, 176 MPs supported the Finance Bill in its Second Reading and only 81 opposed it.

On Tuesday, June 20, the ODM party led by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, issued an update regarding MPs who failed to honour disciplinary summons initiated against them for failing to vote against the Finance Bill.

Among them included Rarieda lawmaker Otiende Amollo and his Lang'ata counterpart Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o who were accused of dismissing show cause letters.

Others that included Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Joseph Oyula (Butula), John Ariko Namoit (Turkana South), Paul Nabuin (Turkana North), Said Buya Hiribae, Mohamed Abdikadir Hussein, Titus Khamala, Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Daniel Manduku and Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito were accused of failing to adhere to the 48-hour ultimatum issued on Thursday, June 15.

ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna had confirmed that he received Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris's response to the show cause letter issued to her. 

Others included  John Mbadi, Eve Obara, Joyce Bensouda, Paul Abuor, Elisha Odhiambo, Adow Mohamed, Caroli Omondi, Babu Owino and George Aladwa.

Johnson Naicca, Kakuta Maimai, Irene Mayaka, Peter Oscar Nabulindo, Christopher Aseka, Tindi Mwale and Samuel Parashina completed the list of 17 MPs who responded to the show cause letters.

Passaris, alongside Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo(Gem MP), Aden Adow Mohamed (Wajir South MP) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South MP) were accused of supporting the Bill when it sailed through the Second Reading.

"The responses so far received are being processed in accordance with Rule 11 of the ODM Disciplinary Committee (Practice and Procedure) Rules, 2022 and the affected members will be informed of the verdict in due course," stated Sifuna.

ODM would nonetheless move to expel MPs Jalang'o alongside Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda following the NEC meeting on Wednesday.

MPs Mark Nyamita (Uriri) and Paul Abuor (Rongo) were directed to write an apology to the party and pay a Ksh1 million fine after the duo appeared before the Disciplinary Committee in person, offering explanations considered by the committee which saved them from expulsion.