‘I Am Still In Azimio,’ Esther Passaris Defies Expectations by Voting in Support of Finance Bill
Rep. Esther Passaris of Nairobi has refuted rumors of her alleged affair with Kenya Kwanza, insisting that she remains a member of the opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party.
Passaris, speaking outside of Parliament after 2023/2024 Finance Year Budget Reading on Thursday, refuted claims that she had abandoned the Raila Odinga-led coalition as a result of her vote during the Second Reading of the proposed Finance Bill, 2023, on Wednesday evening.
The County Representative voted in favor of the Bill, contrary to both the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the Azimio coalition to which she belongs.
“Mimi bado niko Azimio na niko ODM, nimekuwa ODM tangu 2007; na nimesupport Baba na pia ametusupport sisi kama candidates,” she said.
The lawmaker defended her decision to support the controversial Bill against the position of her faction by arguing that as an elected official, she represents both those who voted for her and those who did not.
She implied that supporting the bill would also secure resources such as the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), the Community Development Fund (CDF), and infrastructure improvements for her people.
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“I want to tell Kenyans, both those who voted for me and those who did not, that as soon as we are sworn in as representatives, we pledge to work for everyone, not just those who voted for us,” she said.
“Huwezi kusema wale ambao wamekaa hapa wa Kenya Kwanza hawafikirii watu wao. We consider our people, while they consider their own.
Passaris continued, “I want to emphasize that we cannot function without money. Our nation has a long road ahead. We do not want lenders to impose austerity measures. We must take a stand so that when other legislators from both sides demand CDF, NGAAF, and ask for roads or hospitals, money is available.”
During the heated debate on Wednesday evening, Passaris voted in favor of the bill that Azimio opposes vehemently, helping it pass with 176 in favor and 81 opposed.
The Raila-led ODM party has demanded disciplinary action against all of its MPs who voted in favor of the Bill, as well as those who were absent from the House during the voting.
In a statement to newsrooms on Thursday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said that show-cause letters had been sent to 28 members, including Passaris, Lang’ata MP Phelix ‘Jalang’o Odiwuor, and his Embakasi East counterpart Babu Owino.
‘I Am Still In Azimio,’ Esther Passaris Defies Expectations by Voting in Support of Finance Bill
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