Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has criticised ODM for planning to recall lawmakers who voted in support of the Finance Bill, 2024.
Omondi is among six MPs who have been listed to be punished by the party for endorsing the controversial bill in Parliament.
On Wednesday, the MP said he voted for approval of the Bill based on the needs of his constituents.
“My decision was informed by majority of electorate in Suba South. ODM leaders who made the announcement are not voters in the constituency,” Omondi said.
He proposed 18 amendments to the Finance Bill based on the views of the people of Suba South, the lawmaker added.
This was a day after the party's leadership released a statement saying they would initiate and lead the process of recalling Omondi, Gem's Elisha Odhiambo, Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Emmanuel Wangwe of Navakholo, Memusi Kanchory (Kajiado Central) and Ikolomani's Bernard Shinali.
But the Suba South MP dismissed the statement, saying ODM lacks legal consequence.
Those who released the statement are not registered voters in his constituency, Omondi said, and cannot undertake to recall him from Parliament.
“It is another journey in legal misadventure which will suffer the same fate as the previous failed attempt to expel me from my Party, ODM,” he added.
Omondi said the grievances of the party leadership do not warrant his recall.
“The grounds and process for recalling an MP are well articulated in the constitution, the Elections Act and Case Law. ODM has not mentioned them in their statement.”
He added that what he did was his constitutional right.
“Equally established in our constitutional order under the Constitution and Standing Orders of the National Assembly is the voting autonomy and associated privilege and immunity of a Member of Parliament in the exercise of his or her mandate.”
The MP said his party had taken a path for a long journey that will lead in the wrong direction.
He urged his constituents to remain peaceful and not be cowed by the announcement.
The passage of the bill elicited uproar among Gen Zs across the country.
President William Ruto declined to sign the Bill but the youth continue to stage weekly demonstrations and castigate the Kenya Kwanza government over governance issues.
Some MPs who supported the bill have been on the receiving end from their electorate, who say the lawmakers went against their stand.