National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi has dared his ODM counterparts to kick him out of his position as a result of his stand on the controversial Finance Bill 2018.
Speaking at a fundraiser at Nyandiwa Catholic Church on Sunday, Mbadi defended his opinion by noting the government could not run away from the public debt and must look for ways of filling the deficit, a position that was also shared by ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga.
"I don’t fear punishment from any quarters but Kenya had to restructure its ways of getting funds for local expenditure and pay debts," Mbadi declared.
"I did not just act in the interest of my party boss Raila Odinga but I saw it wise that we should sacrifice to reduce the debts," he added.
The ODM Chairman was among the members who sabotaged the plot to shoot down the bill by walking out of the chambers to deny the opposing MPs the numbers (233) required to accomplish their mission.
MPs Millie Odhiambo, Alfred Keter, Paul Abuor, and Godfrey Osotsi were seen trying to block more lawmakers from leaving.
Those against the legislation called Mbadi a traitor and made demands that he should quit the Minority Leadership position.
The MPs opposing the matter were confident of carrying the day. The Standard is privy to a WhatsApp group where they had marshalled up to 239 members to overturn the President’s memo.
The Minority Leaders position is filled by the opposition party which sends its choice’s name to the Speaker for approval or ratification. MPs can amend the Standing Orders to give themselves powers to elect/change representatives to the seat.
In March 2018, opposition Senators voted to remove Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula as Minority Leader and replaced him with ODM's James Orengo.
