Esther Passaris, the woman representative for Nairobi county, has denied reports of her supposed liaison with Kenya Kwanza and reaffirmed her affiliation with the opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party.

Passaris denied claims that she had left the Raila Odinga-led coalition after taking a stance during the voting on the proposed Finance Bill, 2023, which was introduced in the House for the Second Reading on Wednesday. 

PHOTO | COURTESY Esther Passaris 

The women representative voted in favour of the Bill, going against the positions of the Azimio coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

"Mimi bado niko niko Azimio na niko ODM, nimekuwa ODM tangu 2007; na nimesupport Baba na pia ametusupport sisi kama candidates," she declared.

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In opposition to the viewpoint of her faction, the MP defended her decision to support the contentious Bill by claiming that in her capacity as an elected member, she represents both those who voted for her and those who did not.

She implied as a result that supporting the Bill will also ensure resources for her people, including the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), CDF, and infrastructure improvements.

PHOTO | COURTESY Esther Passaris 

She said that she wanted to inform those who voted for her and those who did not—that as soon as they are sworn in as MPs, they promise to serve everyone, not just those who voted for them.

 "Huwezi kusema wale ambao wamekaa hapa wa Kenya Kwanza hawafikirii watu wao" is used. While they are concerned about their own, we think about our people.

She added that they can only work with money and that kenya has a far voyage ahead of it. Lender-imposed austerity measures are not what they desire. The other MPs from both parties demand CDF and NGAAF and ask for roads or hospitals, which require funding.

During the contentious debate on Wednesday night, Passaris voted in favour of the plan, which Azimio vehemently opposes, enabling it to pass with 176 MPs in favour and 81 against it.

Following the vote, the Raila-led ODM party demanded that all of its lawmakers who supported the Bill and those not present in the House at the time of the vote face disciplinary action.