Silvanus Osoro, the Chief Whip of the National Assembly, has claimed that the Kenya Kwanza administration employed unethical methods to sway opposition MPs during the voting on the Finance Bill, 2023. The government reportedly ensured the absence of opposition lawmakers during the crucial moments to gain an advantage and secure the passage of the bill.
Osoro made these claims during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) activation drive in Kisii. He alleged that the ruling coalition went to great lengths, including bribing some opposition lawmakers, to ensure the bill's passage. According to the South Mugirango MP, the government resorted to tactics such as offering foreign trips or inducing feigned illnesses to some Azimio La Umoja MPs, ultimately manipulating the numbers in parliament.
The revelations shed new light on the opposition's defeat in parliament, raising questions about potential betrayals within Azimio. Osoro admitted to resorting to unscrupulous tactics, stating that he had to manipulate systems and conspire with opposition MPs to secure their absence from the House, thereby guaranteeing the ruling coalition's numerical advantage.
The Chief Whip detailed an elaborate scheme orchestrated by the ruling coalition, emphasizing the significance of passing the bill. Osoro asserted that his position as the majority whip would have been at stake had the bill been rejected, leading him to take drastic measures to ensure its success.
The allegations put several Azimio members in a compromising position, as they had publicly vowed to oppose the bill but failed to show up in parliament during the voting. Azimio had intended to take disciplinary action against its 26 members who were absent, and Osoro's revelations are expected to provide further ammunition to the Raila Odinga-led camp to address the issue.
It is worth noting that the implementation of the Finance Bill has been halted by the High Court following a petition filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omutatah. The revelations made by Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro add a new dimension to the ongoing debate and raise concerns about the tactics employed during parliamentary processes.
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Category: News
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