Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Kabuchai Member of Parliament (MP) Simiyu Majimbo Kalasinga has told off President William Ruto over ‘threats’ to Kenya Kwanza leaders who vote against the controversial Finance Bill 2023.

The MP alluded that being in Kenya Kwanza does not mean passing laws regardless of the impacts they hold on the electorates.

He also asserted that the president should stop lecturing them like small boys and allow them to vote independently without coercion.

“Kukuwa Kenya Kwanza haimaishi kuelekea watu wako mzigo. Nchi yetu ya Kenya iko na watu wetu wanatengeneza sheria. Give us time as MPs to debate ile kitu mzuri tupitishe na ile mbaya tuondoe. Rais wetu ambaye tunapenda asitupee msomo kwa TV kama sisi ni watoto wachanga. We are not small boys. This is the independence of the mind of the person standing before you the MP of Kabuchai.”

This loosely translates to:

(Being in Kenya Kwanza doesn’t mean overburdening people. Our country has people who make laws. The President should give us time as MPs to debate so that we are able to filter out what needs to be passed. Our good president should stop lecturing us on TV as small boys. We are not small boys, please” he stated

The MP’s remarks came after Ruto wooed Kenya Kwanza lawmakers to vote for the controversial Bill that a section of Kenyans has opposed.

Ruto stated that he was carefully watching all those MPs who would vote against the Bill in Parliament.

“I am waiting for the Members of Parliament who will go and vote against the employment of these young people, against housing that would give these people the chance to own a house with five per cent mortgage,” he stated.

So far, the Bill has passed its second stage of reading. It sailed through the second reading stage after 176 MPs voted yes to it while 81 MPs voted against it.