Finance Bill Vote Exposes Rifts in Raila’s Azimio Parliament Team
Some have blamed Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition’s poor performance in key parliamentary battles on the coalition’s internal disputes, which have been silent but vicious.
Some members of Congress have complained about poor coordination, particularly in the National Assembly, where they claim there is no strategy, and that Mr. Odinga has been left to perform some of the legislators’ duties, including coordination, on the national platform.
Azimio la Umoja failed in its attempt to overturn the controversial Finance Act of 2023, whose implementation has been halted by the court.
As public and House debate raged, the fight against the bill, which Azimio has deemed anti-people, was characterized as a battle between President William Ruto and Mr. Odinga.
Some MPs who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the opposition coalition should have performed better if it had been better organized, despite the possibility of losing the vote.
However, poor strategy and a lack of coherence in the consolidation of ideas and strategies within the coalition’s leadership allowed President Ruto’s troops to easily defeat all proposed amendments.
In his decision on the majority/minority contest, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula ruled that the number of Azimio members never surpassed 100, despite the coalition’s claim to have 157 members on paper.
ALSO READ: Raila Odinga’s Azimio Coalition Reveals Post-Finance Bill Plans
According to sources within the coalition, a cold war between members and a portion of the leadership, which they believe was imposed on them, prompted some MPs to deliberately sabotage the opposition’s efforts to mount a serious challenge to the Bill’s rejection.
“All that is lacking in this Chamber is leadership. We had the people and several MPs from the Kenya Kwanza side waiting for us to mount a serious challenge, and they would have joined us,” said a second term MR Antony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South, ODM). According to Mr. Kibagendi, the problem with Azimio and ODM in particular is a lack of dynamism in Parliament to strategize.
“What is lacking is vitality. We rely heavily on the Party Leader. Mr. Kibagendi stated that we should not wait too long until we receive direction from the party leader, but that we should address our concerns through caucuses and the parliamentary group leadership.
Another ODM member, speaking in confidence, suggested that the House leadership should make itself more accessible to members and schedule strategy meetings in advance.
Senator Edwin Sifuna, secretary general of the ODM, has been the target of criticism from several legislators, who have accused him of being overbearing.
“We have brought this matter to the attention of the party leadership, as we are unable to voice our opinions. When members miss rallies or meetings, he sends them showcase letters without inquiring as to why they were absent, according to an ODM representative in his first term.
ALSO READ: Parliament Overrules Azimio la Umoja’s Bid, Approves 16% Fuel Price Hike
“We have no problem with the party correcting us for genuine errors. What we oppose is the leadership of dictatorships.” Mr. Sifuna penned a letter to 28 MPs who were absent during the Second Reading vote, including the ODM party leader John Mbadi and four who voted in favor of the controversial Bill, opposing the position of Mr. Azimio.
In addition, they criticized the leadership of Mr. Wandayi and Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, stating that while they excel in articulating issues on the floor of the House, they are not as effective in engaging members.
The legislators cited the Finance Bill of 2023, which is now law, to criticize the leadership for not whipping members but swiftly taking disciplinary action.
“The Kenya Kwanza side is cohesive. Leader of the Majority Kimani Ichung’wah and Whip of the Majority Silvanus Osoro is always present in the House, engaged in government affairs, and coordinating the members. Osoro even went to whip members who were in the restaurant discussing the Bill and ordered the restaurant to close,” he said, adding, “When it came to Azimio, the Whip posted a message on the WhatsApp group asking members to be present for the afternoon session in the chamber, but did not follow up.”
On the day of reckoning, Mr. Kibagendi, along with MPs Antony Oluoch (Mathare) and Lesuuda Naisula (Samburu West), were responsible for administering the flogging.
Others who wished to remain anonymous accused Mr. Mohamed of being absent, even though the Whip should be approachable, particularly when crucial legislation is being debated on the House floor.
ALSO READ: Azimio, Led by Raila Odinga, Remains Determined to Block Finance Bill 2023 by President William Ruto
“We did not elect them, so they are not serving us, but rather other people who they believe gave them those positions,” an MR explained. Mr. Wandayi, the leader of the minority, defended his leadership by stating to GossipA2Z that the politics of Parliament changes minute-by-minute or hour-by-hour based on the decisions made on the House floor.
“We handle situations as they arise. Situations necessitate leadership at the individual or group level. Mr. Wandayi stated, “They frequently visit my office to conduct business, receive a prompt response, and I am always accessible.”
“Some of my colleagues are unfamiliar with the dynamics of legislation, and they are shocked when we lose on the House floor.” These events are inescapable. We are not under any delusion that we will defeat Kenya Kwanza at the polls; however, we must make a statement. As previously elucidated, the majority will have their way, but the minority will have their say. Not only the vote determines victory or defeat.
Mr. Wandayi said. Mr. Mohamed failed to return our calls. However, some members backed Mr. Mohamed, stating that he rallied members, while others are openly defiant. Some members only accept Raila’s invitations out of fear for him, while others are openly defiant.
“They are afraid of Raila. Before the debate and vote, Wandayi invited members to a meeting to take a position on the Bill, but they declined. Yes, both Osoro and Junet went to the restaurant. Some even disregarded the 10-minute warning to return to the chamber and were locked out, according to an MR from Azimio.
ALSO READ: ‘I Am Still In Azimio,’ Esther Passaris Defies Expectations by Voting in Support of Finance Bill
Several Azimio members of parliament expressed confusion regarding the Finance Bill, as Mr. Wandayi initially stated during a meeting with the Azimio economic council last month that the coalition would not propose amendments to the Bill, only to change his position later.
In addition to Mr. Odinga’s public statements, the majority of members of parliament stated that the minority leader lacked a strategy for handling the Bill. Some members of parliament believed that rejecting the bill would be an exercise in futility, so they purposely booked trips abroad, while others were uninterested in the voting process.
Finance Bill Vote Exposes Rifts in Raila’s Azimio Parliament Team
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