Nairobi County woman representative, Esther Passaris, on Tuesday, June 6, defended Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against reports that he would bar development in areas whose lawmakers will oppose the Finance Bill, arguing that his remarks were misconstrued.
Passaris, speaking at an interview on KTN News, stated that Gachagua did not imply that the opposing members of parliament would not access government funds for infrastructure development.
“I didn’t hear him say specifically that if you don’t support this Finance Bill you will not get any support in terms of infrastructure. We all know that government has enough laws and structures, that guide distribution of resources,” Passaris explained.
She added that the Constitution guides the allocation of public resources such as equalization funds, devolved funds, and the country's constituency development fund (CDF).
“Some counties (Mps from the regions) may not pass the Finance Bill, but that does not stop them from getting funds from central government. MPs will still get CDF money as enshrined in the Constitution,” she stated.
The Orange Democratic Movement politician also emphasised the need to support the bill, since it would help eliminate slums in Nairobi and other towns.
“Even as Azimio, in our manifesto, we highlighted the need to improve and offer better houses. Despite an outcry from many people, without pain there is no gain. We need to eliminate slums in Nairobi," she explained.
She also indicated that slums were associated with crime, congestion and illegal power connections, which can be controlled by providing affordable better housing.
"I support having more money channelled into the Housing project because I hate seeing people living in slums," she noted.
The Nairobi legislator confirmed her support for the Housing Fund and called on other leaders to give the government the benefit of the doubt in implementing the project.
On the other hand, the MP explained the need for the Kenya Kwanza government to avoid the wastage of public resources through corruption.
On Saturday, June 4, President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, on June 4, vowed to track and punish MPs who would oppose the Finance Bill.
During the Thanksgiving service of Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya in Narok, Ruto asked MPs to vote for the Bill in an open ballot to allow Kenyans to identify lawmakers who would reject his proposals.
Gachagua, who was also present at the event, added that the opposing MPs risked missing out on funding for key projects in their constituencies.
"Some of you leaders are lying to Kenyans, but know that if your MP is opposed to the Finance Bill, they should not ask for roads," Gachagua intimidated the MPs.