Members of Parliament aligned with the opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party staged a dramatic walkout during the Second Reading of the contentious Affordable Housing Bill, 2023.
Led by Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, the MPs expressed frustration over their proposed amendments not being considered and criticized the rushed process of passing the Bill into law.
According to the opposition legislators, the manner in which the Bill is being hurried through the legislative process lacks transparency and legality. MP Junet Mohamed accused the government of intimidating opposition lawmakers into supporting the Bill under the threat of halting development projects in their constituencies.
“This is not a law-making process. We are going to prosecute this matter in public opinion; we are not going to participate in this rubber-stamping process,” stated Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the Bill has been rushed without proper parliamentary oversight and is perceived as an Executive order rather than a result of democratic debate.
Criticism extended to Deputy President Ruto, with Nominated MP John Mbadi accusing him of dictatorial tactics to ensure the Bill’s passage, allegedly serving his interests rather than those of the public.
Despite the opposition’s objections, the Bill successfully passed to the Second Reading in the National Assembly, with 141 MPs voting in favor and 58 opposing it in Tuesday’s session.
