The controversial Finance Bill 2023 sailed through the Second Reading stage with 176 Members of Parliament supporting it against 81 who opposed it.
Azimio La Umoja MPs rose to reject the bill on the floor of the house as the Kenya Kwanza MPs rallied their support behind the bill.
Conspicuously missing in the house was outspoken Azimio legislator Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino.
Babu Owino was absent during finance bill voting triggering questions as to where the outspoken Azimio La Umoja MP was at the crucial moment. Was Babu, who has in the past fashioned himself as the defender of the common man in parliament and Azimio La Umoja General compromised to skip to voting session?
Babu Owino’s suspect absentia from the house of parliament seating has elicited reactions with Azimio La Umoja supporters questioning his choice of absconding the vote at a time when the country is faced with punitive tax measures.
Where was Babu Owino? Was his absence intentional? And did he stay away from the vote due to personal interests which are not in line with his political inclination?
Babu was just recently voted tye second best perfoming MP and his choice of failing to show up today rose more eyebrows as to whether the ranking was actually correct or was state sactioned as part of his silent support to the regime.
Other Azimio leaders who absconded voting include and Butere MP Tindi Mwale, who is also a member of the Public Investments committee and Energy Committee in parliament
Majority of Kenya kwanza MPs were whipped by the executive to vote yes for the finance bill leave for
Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba who opposed the finance bill dispite hre political inclination, having been elected in Kiambu County on a UDA ticket. Wamuchomba had earlier on strongly opposed the bill noting that it was punitive to the common man.
The Bill is now set for the Committee of the Whole house stage, where the whole House will seat in the form of a Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
At the Committee of the whole House stage, any proposed amendments to be Bill and a vote taken on each.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who is a member of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, elected under the UDA Party, told parliament that she will defy the stand taken by President William Ruto and oppose the Bill.
“Mr Speaker i went all over Githunguri and i was told to vote no for the bill… This bill is scandalous it is punitive…,” she said.
1. Hon Samuel Chepkonga – YES
2. Hon. Samuel Atandi – NO
3. Hon. John Walter Owino (ABSENT)
4. Hon. Irene Njoki – YES
5. Hon. Florence Jematia – YES
6. Hon. Joshua Kandie – YES
7. Hon. Joseph Kipkoros – YES
8. Hon. Charles Kamuren – YES
9. Hon. Nelson Koech – YES
10. Hon. Innocent Obiri – ABSENT
11. Hon. Barongo Obadiah – NO
12. Hon. Alfah Miruka – YES
13. Hon. Benjamin Langat – YES
14. Hon. Mrembo Irene Njoki – YES
15. Hon. Linet Chepkorir – YES
16. Hon. Richard Cheruiyot – YES
17. Hon. Richard Yegon – YES
18. Hon. Charles Onchoke – NO
19. Hon Wanjala Raphael – NO
20. Hon. Patrick Kibagendi – NO
21. Hon. Jack Wamboka – NO
22. Hon. Komingoi Kibet Kirui – YES
23. Hon. Catherine Omanyo – ABSENT
24. Hon. Tindi Mwale – ABSENT
25. Hon. Joseph Oyula – ABSENT
26. Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi – YES
27. Hon. Kirima Moses – YES
28. Hon. Omar Shimbwa – NO
29. Hon. Patrick Simiyu – NO
30. Hon. Paul Kibichii – YES
31. Hon. Ntwiga Patrick – YES
32. Hon. Farah Maalim – ABSENT
33. Hon. Beatrice Elachi – NO
34. Hon. John Kiarie – YES
35. Hon. Moses Sirma – YES
36. Hon. Adan Keynan – YES
37. Hon. Caroline Ngelechei – YES
38. Hon Gathiru Mejjadonk Benjamin – YES
39. Hon. Babu Owino – ABSENT
40. Hon. Gakuuya James – YES
41. Hon. Julius Mawathe – NO
42. Hon. Mark Mwenje – NO
43. Hon. Pamela Njoki – ABSENT
44. Hon. Josses Kiptoo Kosgey – YES
45. Hon. Omboko Milemba – YES
46. Hon. Johana Ngeno – YES
47. Hon. Robert Pukose – YES
48. Hon. Wilberforce Oundo – ABSENT
49. Hon. Hirbae Said – ABSENT
50. Hon. Kenneth Kazungu – YES
51. Hon. Guyo Ali Wario – NO
52. Hon. Edward Muriu – ABSENT
53. Hon. Elijah Njore Njoroge – NO
54. Hon. Gabriel Kagombe – YES
55. Hon. Elisha Odhiambo – YES
56. Hon. Robert Gichimu – YES
57. Hon. Martha Wangari – YES
58. Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba – NO
59. Hon. Peter Kaluma – NO
60. Hon. Daniel Karitho – YES
61. Hon. Julius Taitumu – YES
62. Hon. Mwirigi John Paul – YES
63. Hon. Abdi Abdi Ali – YES
64. Hon Bernard Masaka – NO
65. Hon. Bady Bady Twalib – NO
66. Hon. George Koimburi – YES
67. Hon. Wamacukuru James Kamau – YES
68. Hon. Joshua Kimilu – NO
69. Hon. Sankaire Leah – YES
70. Hon. Elijah Memusi – NO
71. Hon. Nguro Onesmus – YES
72. Hon. Paul Kahindi – NO
73. Hon. Hassan Abdi Yusuf – YES
74. Hon. Njuguna Chege – YES
75. Hon. Makali John – YES
76. Hon. Samuel Moroto – YES
77. Hon. Oscar Sudi – ABSENT
78. Hon. Andrew Okuome – NO
79. Hon. Charles Were Ong’ondo – NO
80. Hon. Robert Mbui – NO
81. Hon. Korir Adams Kipsanai – YES
82. Hon. Kipkoech Gideon Kimaiyo – YES
83. Hon. Beatrice Kemei – YES
84. Hon. Julius Ruto – ABSENT
85. Hon. Christopher Aseka – AABSENT
86. Hon. John Njuguna Wanjiku – YES
87. Hon. John Waithaka Machua – YES
