Mr. Ruto expressed his disapproval of Wamuchomba’s stance, emphasizing the negative implications it may have for his development agenda. He condemned her for not supporting the bill and suggested that her actions were hindering progress.
Gathoni Wamuchomba, the Member of Parliament for Githunguri, however stood firm in her resolve on Saturday, June 17, stating that she would not be intimidated by any leader despite her opposition to the Finance Bill 2023.
Addressing attendees at the Githunguri Dairy Cooperative Society field day, Wamuchomba expressed her unwavering commitment to representing her constituents in Parliament, regardless of the actions of her fellow politicians or influential government figures. She also expressed gratitude to her residents for their unwavering support and promised to fulfill her duties as an MP without succumbing to intimidation.
Her remarks were made in the presence of President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, among others.
President Ruto took the opportunity to criticize the leaders who voted against the bill, accusing them of hindering his development agenda. He expressed disappointment, claiming that these leaders were unwilling to contribute a portion of their salaries to fund the housing project, despite being elected by the citizens who supported the initiative.
In response, Ruto posed a question to the residents of Githunguri regarding their stance on the Housing Fund project, wondering if Wamuchomba’s actions truly reflected the sentiments of the constituency. However, he quickly realized that the residents remained firm in their opposition to the bill.
Wamuchomba had taken a definitive stand on Wednesday, June 14, when she voted against the Finance Bill 2023, citing its oppressive nature and failure to represent the will of the people. During the parliamentary debate, she raised concerns about the prioritization of the Housing Fund project over critical issues such as the high cost of basic commodities and the financial struggles faced by her constituents.
Addressing rumors that she was an Azimio la Umoja mole, Wamuchomba categorically denied these claims and asserted that she stood on the side of truth, regardless of the consequences. She expressed readiness to face any eventuality, including potential removal from her party and a by-election.
During the second reading, 176 members of parliament voted in favor of the bill, while 81 legislators voted against it. The bill will proceed to the third and final reading on Tuesday, June 20, during which MPs will have the opportunity to propose amendments to specific clauses within the bill.
