Senator Cherargei wants Kenya Kwanza MPs who voted against Finance Bill disciplined

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has cautioned Members of Parliament allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition who oppose President William Ruto’s directives that they risk being subjected to disciplinary action.

Speaking at a function in Maraba, Tinderet Constituency, on Friday, the outspoken Senator said that Kenya Kwanza legislators should make things easier for the President by backing his plans in the House.

Cherargei cited the recent voting witnessed during the tabling of the proposed Finance Bill, 2023 in Parliament on Wednesday; the Bill sailed through the Second Reading stage with 176 MPs supporting it against 81 who opposed it.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, despite belonging to the President Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza coalition that supported the Bill, went against the norm and opposed it.

The Nandi Senator went ahead to warn that anyone who went against the ruling political outfit’s position would be dealt with accordingly.

“Nimeona watu wengine wanasema ooh, wale watu walivote upande huu, wengine ule…We don’t have a problem but we must hold party positions,” he stated.

“If the party has directed you make a certain decision, if you don’t follow party position…if you were elected by UDA party supporters, you are in UDA party and do not want to vote according to UDA, you will have to be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

He added: “Tunataka order; tunataka Rais akisema Yes, wote tunasema Yes, akisema jump, tunauliza, Your Excellency, how high can we jump? Akisema enda left, tunaenda left, akisema enda right, we go right. Kwa sababu sisi ni watu wa kazi, UDA, Kenya Kwanza, na hii ndiyo serikali iko kwa sasa.”

According to the Senator, MPs affiliated with Kenya Kwanza should fully heed the decisions of the government and that of their leader.

The remarks by Cherargei follow similar pronouncements by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leadership on Thursday where 28 of its members face disciplinary action for either failing to show up or voting in support of the bill contrary to the party’s stand.

The controversial Bill is now set for the Committee of the whole House stage, where the House will consider the Bill clause by clause.