Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris on Tuesday, June 20, flagged fake reports insinuating that she told former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to stop calling her.
In a statement, the lawmaker maintained that she still held respect for the ODM party boss who she described as her party leader.
Other than asking Raila to stop calling her, the fake posts purported that she was being threatened over her recent stance regarding government policies.
"I was elected to represent the people of Nairobi and not the Odinga family. I will not be pressured and he should stop calling me," the fake post read.
"Treat this fake news with the contempt it deserves. I have nothing but respect for my party leader, the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga," Passaris responded.
The fake posts made rounds on social media amid pending disciplinary action the MP faces for voting in favour of the Finance Bill 2023.
Passaris alongside Wajir South MP Aden Adow, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi passed the Finance Bill during its Parliamentary's second reading - contrary to the decision taken by her party during the Parliamentary Group meeting.
In her defence, she maintained that she was still a member of the opposition explaining that she supported the bill because some of the programmes would benefit her constituents.
"I am still in Azimio and have been with ODM since 2007. I have supported Raila ever since and he in turn supported us as candidates
"We must stand firm to ensure that our government has money. Where will we get the money if the government does not collect tax? People must be taxed so that the government can also fulfil its mandate," she explained at the time.
ODM is yet to make a decision on the disciplinary action to be taken against Passaris and her colleagues.
The party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna - who also doubles up as the Nairobi Senator - hinted at the party's plan to expel the lawmakers who went against the party's stand in the contentious bill.
"We have written to the MPs who have met Ruto and voted for the Finance Bill. As ODM, we don’t want them in our party," he stated.
