You Owe Kenyans An Explanation- Karua To Azimio MPs Who Skipped Finance Bill Voting

NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua on Tuesday, June 20 revealed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Members of Parliament (MP) who were absent during the Second Reading of the Finance Bill 2023 owed Kenyans an explanation as to why they did so.

Speaking during an interview with NTV's Ngina Kirori, the Azimio la Umoja principal believed that the Finance Bill should be given priority status by all MPs, regardless of political stance.

She faulted a section of Azimio MPs, among them Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, who had reportedly travelled to Morocco on official business during what she termed a debate of huge importance, giving her own example of how she returned from her trips to prioritise her constituents while being a long-standing MP for Gichugu Constituency.

"Azimio MPs missing during the Finance Bill vote was a letdown to Kenyans, and MPs must prioritise, whichever side of the divide they come from. When there is a debate of importance going on, I would expect that an MP would even decline a trip out of the country.

"I actually used to come back, not just for Parliament but for appointments with my constituents. Unless you're sick, you're in court, being away on a crucial vote is something one may need to explain to their constituents," she explained.

Karua however expressed confidence in Azimio MPs shooting down the Bill during the Third Reading. At the same time, she questioned the integrity of the National Assembly, especially Speaker Moses Wetangula.

"There's a third vote, the Third Reading. Let's see how they redeem themselves, but also there is that matter of the Speaker of the National Assembly.

"Why would a Speaker communicate on such an important Bill that the vote will be taken next week when all of a sudden make a turnaround? How is the National Assembly being run currently? Is there fairness in the way it's being run? Is it being run transparently?" she posed.

When Kirori challenged her to answer the queries, Karua claimed that the Speaker was exuding some form of a political witchhunt by suspending seven MPs for varied periods before the Second Reading, most of whom are in Azimio.

"I would say that it is poorly run, quite undemocratically. Last week, we saw the Speaker throwing away mainly Azimio MPs for a prolonged period, knowing very well that the Finance Bill is coming," she added.

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 did not indicate what measures would be taken against them for failing to honour the summons, nor did he provide an explanation as to whether the 13 lawmakers offered reasons for not responding to the letter.

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.