I'm Still in Azimio, I Took Oath to Serve All Kenyans - Passaris

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris on Wednesday held firm in her decision to support the Finance Bill 2023 despite it being contrary to Raila Odinga's command. 

On Thursday, a section of Azimio MPs walked out of the Parliament chamber while the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year was being read, protesting that the budget was for the Kenya Kwanza administration and not for the citizens. Speaking shortly after the budget was read, Passaris defended her choice, saying that she took the oath of office to serve all Kenyans regardless of their political standing.

"I'm still in Azimio, I have been in ODM since 2007 and I have supported Baba (Azimio leader Raila Odinga) and he has also supported us. We cannot deliver services to Kenyans without money, the country has a huge debt at the moment," she said. 

Passaris made a bold move by opposing Azimio's stance and voted in favour of the bill on Wednesday evening. This was despite Raila urging his troops to shoot down the bill, explaining it would cause further hardship to Kenyans. Also, Passaris threw her weight behind President Ruto's housing levy, which was part of the Finance Bill 2023.

The three per cent tax has come under heavy censure from the opposition, in defending her support for it, she said the levy would help eradicate slums through cost-effective housing. As a result of her stance, Passaris risks receiving disciplinary action alongside other ODM MPs over the Finance Bill vote. 

"In line with the Party's disciplinary rules, notices to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken have been issued to the said members. They are expected to respond within the next 48 hours," the party said in a statement on Thursday.