Silvanus Osoro Confession: MPs Bribed to Skip Finance Bill Vote
The Chief Whip of the National Assembly, Silvanus Osoro, has revealed the ruling coalition’s elaborate strategy to defeat the opposition in the vote on the Finance Bill, 2023.
The South Mugirango representative disclosed the dirty and unethical tactics used to woo their Azimio counterparts, including bribing the opposition to gain a numerical advantage in Parliament to pass the government’s controversial Finance Bill.
Mr. Osoro stated that the government spent a great deal of money (though he did not specify how much) to persuade opposition lawmakers to abstain from the vote so that it could pass with minimal opposition.
“By hook or by crook, I had to find a way to get it passed. I had to manipulate systems, find a way to get the opposition MPs to play our tune, and arrange for some opposition MPs to be absent from the House so that I could get the numbers. Some were sponsored to travel abroad, while others were bribed to fake illness, according to Mr. Osoro.
During a UDA recruitment drive in Kitutu Chache South Constituency, the lawmaker stated that the government will use all available resources to prevent the courts from overturning President William Ruto’s signature on the legislation.
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Although the Nation could not independently confirm Mr. Osoro’s claims from some of the Azimio lawmakers interviewed, as they declined to comment on the matter, residents have raised questions as to why a person holding a top position in the National Assembly, one of the three branches of government, would make such public statements with such implications for the integrity of lawmakers.
“I heard some people say that members of parliament should have voted ‘no,’ while others said they should have voted ‘yes’ on the Finance Bill. Some advised me to vote “No,” Before a bill is presented in the House of Representatives or seen by anyone else, it first reaches my desk, as I am the Government’s Chief Whip. Mr. Osoro stated, “We are the ones who draft these bills.” “If it reaches the floor and is voted down, Osoro’s position will be eliminated. I cannot permit that to occur. If it fails, could I lose my position as chief whip?
The government has ensured that the salaries of civil servants have been adjusted upwards to compensate for any income they may lose as a result of the bill, he added.
ALSO READ: President Ruto Signs Finance Bill 2023 into Law
“After salaries were adjusted, civil servants were asked to give away 1.5%, but even if you don’t cooperate, you shouldn’t resist because it’s already a done deal,” said Osoro, adding, “We will manipulate every system to ensure that we win, and we will use our methods to ensure that nothing changes.”
“Although we passed the bill through shady means, it’s not that bad for the commoners. It hurts those who are employed a little bit, but overall it’s a good bill,” said the National Assembly Majority Whip, pointing out that the country would have “lost out on development” if the Finance Bill had not been passed.
Silvanus Osoro Confession: MPs Bribed to Skip Finance Bill Vote
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