Ruto Finance Bill: ODM Takes Action On Esther Passaris & 27 MPs [LIST]

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Thursday, June 15 initiated disciplinary action against Nairobi County woman representative, Esther Passaris and 27 of its Members of Parliament (MPs) who both supported the passing of the Finance Bill 2023 to its Third Reading and who were absent during the voting.

In a statement, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna singled out Passaris as well as Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo(Gem MP), Aden Adow Mohamed (Wajir South MP) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South MP) as lawmakers who voted in support of the Finance Bill.

Jalang'o (Lang'ata MP), John Mbadi (Nominated), Otiende Amollo (Rarieda MP) and TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka) were revealed to be lawmakers who were absent during the voting of the Bill on Wednesday, June 14.

"The Party is in receipt of many complaints from its general membership regarding the conduct of its members of the National Assembly during yesterday's vote on the Finance Bill, 2023.

"The Party has therefore commenced disciplinary proceedings against the following members," read the statement in part.

Those who voted for the Bill:

1. Hon. Esther Passaris - County Woman Representative, Nairobi City County
2. Hon. Aden Adow Mohamed, MP, Wajir South Constituency
3. Hon. Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo, MP, Gem Constituency
4. Hon. Caroli Omondi, MP, Suba South Constituency

Those Absent during the voting:

1. Hon. John Mbadi - Nominated
2. Hon. Said Buya Hiribae, MP, Galole Constituency
3. Hon. Mohamed Abdikadir Hussein, MP, Lagdera Constituency 
4. Hon. Paul Ekwom Nabuin, MP, Turkana North Constituency 
5. Hon. John Namoit Ariko, MP, Turkana South Constituency 
6. Hon. Hamisi Kakuta Maimai, MP, Kajiaodo East Constituency 
7. Hon. Parashina Samuel Sakimba, MP, Kajiado South Constituency 
8. Hon. Titus Khamala Mukhawana, MP, Lurambi Constituency 
9. Hon. Johnson Naicca Manya, MP, Mumias West Constituency 
10. Hon. Peter Oscar Nabulindo, MP, Matungu Constituency 
11. Hon. Nicholas Scott Tindi Mwale, MP, Butere Constituency 
12. Hon. Christopher Wangaya Aseka, MP, Khwisero Constituency 
13. Hon. Joseph Maero Oyula, MP, Butula Constituency
14. Hon. Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo, MP, Funyula Constituency
15. Hon. Gideon Ochanda Ogolla, MP, Bondo Constituency
16. Hon. Paul Otiende Amollo, MP, Rarieda Constituency
17. Hon. Eve Akinyi Obara, MP, Kasipul Constituency
18. Hon. Paul Abuor, MP, Rongo Constituency
19. Hon. Ogolla Mark Nyamita, MP, Uriri Constituency
20. Hon. Daniel Ogwoka Manduku, MP, Nyaribari Masaba Constituency
21. Hon. Phelix Odiwuor Kodhe, MP, Lang'ata Constituency
22. Hon. Francis Tom Joseph Kajwang, MP, Ruaraka Constituency
23. Hon. Paul Ongili Babu Owino, MP, Embakasi East Constituency
24. Hon. Irene Nyakerario Mayaka - Nominated

ODM added that 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," ODM added.

Owino had earlier clarified in a video statement that he had arranged to meet his lawyer to prepare for his defence hearing at Milimani Law Courts slated for Thursday, June 15.

Moreover, he underlined that he communicated to National Assembly Minority Leader, Opiyo Wandayi, about his circumstances before leaving the parliament buildings, stating that the engagement with his lawyers took the whole day and also burned the midnight oil.

The MP however blamed National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula for the mishap, indicating that the voting was to take place after the third reading, as originally agreed by the Parliamentary leadership.

“I realised that the speaker made some changes and ruled that voting was to take place on Wednesday. By that time, so many members were anticipating that voting will occur next week. That explains why so many members, especially from the Azimio Coalition missed the sitting,” he stated.

Passaris was a rarity for Azimio in voting for the Bill as her fellow lawmakers put up a spirited fight to fulfil the coalition's wish of not letting the Finance Bill sail through Parliament.

The opposition had whipped its members to reject the Bill in its entirety despite several concessions by the Kenya Kwanza counterparts and that those who violate the coalition resolution will face disciplinary action.