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Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has denied ditching ODM party leader Raila Odinga after defying the opposition supremo to vote in favour of the controversial Finance Bill 2023 on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

Passaris is among a few MPs in the opposition’s Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition supporting proposed measures to expand the country’s tax base amid strong opposition from the coalition’s leadership.

Responding to speculations that she had ditched Raila for President William Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, the lawmaker yesterday affirmed that she is still an active member of ODM and the Azimio camp.

“I am still in Azimio and have been with ODM since 2007. I have supported Raila ever since, who has, in turn, supported us as candidates,” Passaris said shortly after National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u presented the 2023/2024 budget in the National Assembly.

She defended her decision to support the proposed tax measures, saying the government needs money to meet its financial obligations, including the Kenya Kwanza’s ambitious development agenda.

“I would like to say that any government cannot function without money. Our country is grappling with huge debts, and we don’t want lenders to adopt austerity measures to control that,” Passaris stated.

“So we must stand firm to ensure that our government has money. Where will we get the money if the government does not collect tax? People must be taxed so that the government can also fulfil its mandate. I have seen some good things from the budget, including an increased allocation to HELB and hospitals.”

Esther Passaris: I am in ODM to stay and my loyalty to Raila Odinga remains unshakeable. But I need to work with the Government of the day so as to realize the commitments I made to my constituents #FinanceBill2023 #BudgetKE2023 #Budget2023 pic.twitter.com/Dz72qLmbn7

— Stephen Mutoro (@smutoro) June 15, 2023

Passaris remained in the House on Thursday as legislators allied to the Azimio coalition staged a walkout after CS Ndung’u began reading the budget.

The MPs gave the CS a hard time reading the Budget after they chanted in displeasure as they left the House.

“It is a great owner and privilege for me to present to this house and to the people of the Republic of Kenya, the first Budget of the Kenya Kwanza administration, ” the CS said before the opposition MPs interrupted.

The MPs later converged outside Parliament and chanted “Mahustler musilale, lale lale, wakenya msilale, lale lale, bado mapambano mapambano” slogans in protest of the events of the day.

Passaris, 27 others facing disciplinary action

The ODM party later issued a statement on Thursday evening, threatening disciplinary action against Passaris and three other MPs who voted in favour of the Bill during the Second Reading on Wednesday. The three are Wajir South MP Aden Mohamed, Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South).

Also summoned are 24 other legislators who were absent during the vote on Wednesday evening.

“In line with the Party’s disciplinary rules, notices to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken have been issued to the members. They are expected to respond within the next 48 hours,” ODM said.

MPs who were absent during the voting exercise include Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino, Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), nominated MP John Mbadi, Said Buya Hiribae (Galole), Mohamed Abdikadir Hussein (Lagdera), Paul Ekwom Nabuin (Turkana North) and John Namoit Ariko (Turkana South).

Others on the list are Hamisi Kakuta Maimai (Kajiaodo East), Parashina Samuel Sakimba (Kajiado South), Titus Khamala Mukhawana (Lurambi), Johnson Naicca Manya (Mumias West), Peter Oscar Nabulindo (Matungu) and Nicholas Scott Tindi Mwale (Butere).

Others include Christopher Wangaya Aseka (Khwisero), Joseph Marro Oyula (Butula), Wilberforce Ojambo Oundo ( Funyula), Gideon Ochanda Ogolla (Bondo), Paul Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), Eve Akinyi Obara (Kasipul), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Ogolla Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Daniel Ogwoka Manduku (Nyaribari Masaba), George Aladwa Omwera (Makadara) and Irene Nyakerario Mayaka (nominated).

Press statement on the vote on the Finance Bill 2023/24. pic.twitter.com/KoobghlgoB

— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) June 15, 2023