The vote taken under an atmosphere of heavy tension both in and outside the House laid bare political surprises that both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio will have to contend with.
Known Ruto allies abandoned him at the hour of need while sworn opposition leaders broke ranks with their formation on the floor.
Some MPs played safe, opting to keep off the voting session to avoid facing the wrath of either their sponsoring parties or constituents.
In defiance of the traditional party voting patterns, 204 voted to push the bill from the Second Reading to the Third Reading, also known as Committee of the Whole House.
Some 115 MPs voted against the bill during the vote which had no one abstaining.
Githunguru MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, George Koimburi (Juja) and Gitonga Mukinji (Manyatta) are among the big names in Ruto’s camp who defied his directive and voted against the unpopular tax proposals.
MPs James Gakuya (Embakasi North, UDA), Sabina Chege (nominated, JP) and Mohammed Ali (Nyali,UDA) headlined Ruto’s allies who were a no-show during the crucial vote.
Gakuya and Gitonga are close allies of the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and have been accompanying the DP in his recent tours around the country.
Ordinarily, pro-government MPs would vote to a man for a bill especially after being whipped by the President to pass the document.
This was, however, not the case as at least four UDA MPs defied the party line and rejected the bill that precipitated countrywide protests.
As if that was not enough, President Rutos's Luo Nyanza allies disappointed him after listening to their constituents.
MPs Mark Nyamita (Uriri), David Ochieng’ (Ugenya, MDG), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Phelix Odiwuor (Lang'ata) and Esther Passaris (Nairobi MP) voted against the Kenya Kwanza position.
Only Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and Gem lawmaker Elisha Odhiambo remained loyal, voting for the bill at the Second Reading.
The lawmakers have close links with Ruto since severing links with Azimio and have been been hosted at State House on several occasions.
On Monday, Odiwuor popularly known as Jalang’o, Elisha Odhiambo, Caroli and Ochanda were at State House.
Last year, ODM took disciplinary action against the rebel MPs expelling them from the party – they, however, appealed the decision at the courts.
“Some of those MPs are still in office because of the courts, we had expelled them,” ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna told the Star.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita explained his decision was informed by the contents of the bill, which was not only counterproductive but will impoverish Kenyans especially sugar cane farmers.
“To be fair, an essential staple food for the majority, like bread, does not deserve enhanced VAT just like taxing sugar cane transportation amounts to double jeopardy: because sugarcane millers maintain almost all the marram roads they use,” Nyamita said.
In another shock vote, ODM, Wiper and Jubilee Party did not pull in the same direction during Thursday’s vote.
A record 13 ODM MPs voted for the bill, Jubilee 13, while Kalonzo Wiper had four going against the party’s position.
ODM lawmakers Ochanda (Bondo), Ali Wario (Garsen), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), Memusi Kanchory (Kajiado Central), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Mohammed Abdikadir (Lagdera), Oscar Nabulindo (Matungu), Johnson Naicca (Mumias West), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South) were among opposition legislators who joined forces with the government to pass the bill.
ODM lawmaker Adow Mohamed (Wajir South) also voted yes.
The Orange party has already threatened to activate the recall clause against the 13 MPs who voted against the party position.
Speaking at Parliament buildings, Sifuna confirmed they party will soon go for those who defied its directive.
"As SG of ODM, I will be recommending to the party NEC that we initiate recall in one or two constituencies held by some of those who went against the wishes of the people," Sifuna said.
“I celebrate the 115 patriots who heeded the call of Kenyans and voted against the Finance Bill, 2024. Know their names. As to the 204 who voted yes, I will leave it to our new overlords, Gen Z, to do with as they please.”
In a statement on Friday, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition said the MPs who voted in favour of more tax measures betrayed their electorate.
"Inexplicably, the other 204 MPs stood against the nation. They are the traitors and the exemplification of the biggest betrayal to Kenyans,'' Azimio said.
"Just like those sullied home guards, the 204 have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the socio-political and economic injustices perpetuated on Kenyans."
Kalonzo’s MPs who voted against the grain included Talib Abubakar (nominated), John Okano (Taveta) and Farah Malim (Dadaab).
The vote also saw several lawmakers take a safe route by absenting themselves from the afternoon voting session.
Only Isiolo South MP Tubi Mohamed got permission from Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to be away as he was hospitalised.
MPs who were a no-show during the crucial vote included Irine Njoki (Bahati, Jubilee), Shurie Abdi (Balambala), Charles Onchoke (Bonchari, UPA), Yakuba Adow (Bura, UPIA), Benjamin Mejjadonk (Embakasi Central, UDA), James Gakuya (Embakasi North, UDA), Pamela Njoki (Embu, UDA), Saliba Buya (Galole, ODM) and Joseph Samal (Isiolo North, JP).
Others who chose to play safe were Joseph Mbithi (independent), Agnes Pareiyo (Narok North, Jubilee), Mohamed Ali (Nyali, UDA), Clement Logova (Sabatia, UDA), Shadrack Mwiti (South Imenti, Jubilee), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu, UDA), Susan Ngugi (Tharaka Nithi, TSP), Cecilia Asinyen (Turkana, UDA), Nicholas Ng’ikor (Turkana East, Jubilee) and Fatuma Abdi (Wajir, ODM).
Also in the list of fence-sitters were Mohamed Aden (Wajir East, Jubilee), Sabina Chege (nominated, Jubilee) and Teresa Wanjiru (nominated, UDA).
The controversial bill now moves to the Committee Stage, where MPs will have an opportunity to look at every clause and can amend or retain it the way it is.
According to the guidelines provided by the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, the Committee of the Whole House will take place on Tuesday, June 25.
The Standing Orders require that the amendments be filed at least 24 hours before the commencement of the sitting at which the bill is to be considered in the committee.
The Committee of the Whole House considers the bill in detail, clause by clause, which includes the title, preamble and schedules.
The committee is chaired by the Deputy Speaker or any member of the Chairpersons Panel, previously known as the Speaker's Panel.
If an amendment is passed, it becomes part of the bill.
The Speaker shall then convey it to the President for assent once approved at the Third Reading.
