Nairobi News

Several Members of Parliament aligned to Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition on Wednesday evening were absent in Parliament during the debate and voting on the Finance Bill 2023.

The total number of votes cast was 257 with ‘Yes’ garnering 176 votes against 81 MPs who voted ‘No’.

The Opposition legislators skipped the debate just hours after Raila Odinga, who is also the ODM leader, rubbished the Bill, saying it was aimed at exploiting Kenyans.

Also read: Wa Muchomba – I’ll oppose Finance Bill to the bitter, even if it means losing my seat

Prior to the heated sitting in Parliament, Mr Odinga and his Azimio brigade had strongly voiced their opposition to the Bill, even urging members of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance to join in voting against Bill.

Earlier in the day, Azimio’s top leadership had urged the Kenya Kwanza Members to join them in voting against the Bill.

Deputy ODM party leader, Mr Wycliffe Oparanya, termed the Bill was punitive and a threat to Kenyans.

“We know that the Kenya Kwanza MPs the bill is wrong. All we can urge you is to join your Azimio counterparts and stand with Kenyans,” Oparanya said.

Also read: Azimio – Proposed budget is anti-people

“We believe this country needs and deserves a people’s budget. We believe in a rights based budget. That budget is coming, Kenyans will have a people’s budget,” he added.

Immediately after Wednesday’s vote, Azimio la Umoja said that they are looking forward to moving to court to challenge it the Bill.

Here is the list of Azimio MPs who were absent from the Chambers during the vote:

1. Tindi Mwale – (Butere – ODM)
2. Joseph Oyula – (Butula – ODM)
3. Farah Maalim – (Dadaab – Wiper)
4. Babu Owino – (Embakassi East – ODM)
5. Wilberforce Oundo – (Funyula – ODM)
6. Hirbae Said – (Galole – ODM)
7. Titus Khamala – (Lurambi – ODM)
8. Peter Nabulindo – (Matungu – ODM)
9. Stephen Mule Mutinda – (Matungulu – Wiper)
10. Patrick Makau – (Mavoko – Wiper)
11. Mr Peter Salasya – (Mumias East – DAP-K)