The Orange Democratic party(ODM) has fined Nairobi Womon Representative Esther Passaris Kes250,000 for supporting the controversial Finance Bill 2023.
ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) found her guilty of defying the party’s stand. She is required to pay the fine in two months.
ODM had opposed the Finance Bill that sailed through in the National Assembly after lobbying by the ruling party., Democratic Alliance (UDA) that rallied other MPs to vote for it
ODM Chairman John Mbadi said Passaris must also issue a written apology to the party within a week.
“Hon. Passaris be reprimanded for her defiance of the party on the punitive Finance Bill and that she should issue a written apology within seven days and on top of that, she should be fined a sum of Kes 250,000, which should be paid within sixty days,” NEC said.
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Aden Adow, Elisha Ochieng, Caroli Omondi, and others from Wajir South, Gem, and Suba South, respectively, also voted in favor of the measure.
"Both those who voted for me and those who did not, immediately we are sworn in as MPs, we swear to work for everyone, not just those who voted for us," Passaris said in defense of her decision to support the bill.
The legislation passed quickly, with 176 MPs voting in favor of the bill and 81 voting against it.
Meanwhile, the party announced it wanted to expel four lawmakers for their connections to President William Ruto.
ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) endorsed the expulsion of Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Suba South’s Caroli Omondi, Lang’ata’s Phelix Jalang’o, Bondo’s Gideon Ochanda, and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda following a meeting held on Wednesday.
Further, the party directed Uriri MP Mark Nyamita and Rongo’s Paul Abuor to pay a Kes 1 million fine each and tender a written apology after facing disciplinary proceedings for similar charges.
NEC accused the legislators opposed to lawful decisions made by party organs.
“They are deemed to have resigned from the party. The party is hereby directed to commence the process of removing them from the register of the party,” NEC said.
Nyamita and Abuor survived expulsion after turning up before the party to make their case.
However, he was fined Kes 1 million each, to be paid in two months, and directed to offer a written apology to the party within seven days.
The legislators were facing allegations of violation of Article 11 (1) (e) of the party constitution and Section 14 A of the Political Parties Act 2011 by publicly associating and supporting the activities of a rival political party.
