Raila Petitioned to Remove Mbadi as Minority Leader Over Fuel Tax Saga

National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga was on Wednesday petitioned to punish Minority Leader John Mbadi over the role he played during the passing of the Finance Bill 2018 in parliament.

Kilifi North Member of Parliament Owen Baya, appealed to Raila to convene a meeting to facilitate the removal of Mbadi as the Minority Leader in the National Assembly.

Baya pointed out that Mbadi abandoned his role on the day the bill was passed explaining that his position demands him to speak for the minority in parliament.

"I have faith in our party leader that he will facilitate a smooth process where members will change the party’s leadership. Mbadi failed to lead in his role and that is why I see it fit that he does not lead us anymore," remarked Baya.

Mbadi dismissed the claims by the Kilifi North MP stating that he would not be intimidated by the constant threats of those who were unhappy with the position he took.

The ODM chairman further explained that the demand by Baya will not be upheld by Raila who backed the passing of the bill after he rallied the NASA MPs to support it.

"I have been in Parliament for a while and I am not easily intimidated. Those eyeing for my removal are expressing their personal opinions but I will not be cowed," stated Mbadi.

The tough talking politician highlighted that the government could not run away from the public debt and should look for ways of filling the deficit.

He was among the group of legislators who walked out of the chambers during the tabling of the bill to deny their opposing colleagues the two thirds majority of 233 MPs required to reject the bill.

Those against the legislation termed Mbadi and the Majority Leader Aden Duale traitors and made demands that they should quit their leadership positions.