Political surprises rocked the National Assembly on Thursday evening as 235 legislators voted yes for the BBI bill, with only 83 failing to approve it.
What surprised many is 10 MPs allied to Deputy President voting yes for the constitution amendment despite spending time and energy in public rallies to de-popularize the BBI bill.
Their affirmative vote has subjected DP Ruto’s Tanga Tanga pact to ridicule from Pro-Uhuru and Raila legislators.
Ruto’s allies who voted for BBI have been subject to criticism, with majority of Kenyans questioning their sudden change of tune.
Kivumbi.co.ke analyses 10 legislators from the Tanga Tanga brigade who were among the 235 MPs who voted yes for BBI on May, 6.
- Kimani Ngunjiri
The Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, a fierce defender of the Hustler Movement on Thursday, May 6, shocked Kenya when he voted in support of the bill.
The legislator has been critical of the bill which he claimed is meant to create positions for some people and in the long run burden the taxpayers.
The second term MP has however defended himself on why he endorsed the bill despite the fact that he has been nicknamed as a traitor to the Tanga Tanga faction.
“I voted without being influenced by anyone and that does not amount to betrayal of the DP,” he told the Standard on Friday, May 7.
- Feisal Bader
Msambeni MP Feisal Bader pulled a surprise to not only DP William Ruto but to Kenyans at large when he voted for the Constitutional of Kenya Amendment Bill 2020.
It is understood that Ruto backed the legislator to dislodge the Orange Democratic Movement in the December 2020 by-election.
- Khatib Mwashetani
The Lunga Lunga MP was among the 235 lawmakers who made a U-tern on the final day to endorse the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2020.
He is close ally the second in command and he was expected to vote against the bill.
- David Sankok
Nominated MP David Sankok is among 10 Members of Parliament who shocked the country on Thursday, May 6, when they voted for the bill.
Sankok, a close ally to DP Ruto was expected to vote aginst the BBI Bill which seeks to amend the Kenyan Constitution 2010.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has however defended the legislators who drummed up support for the bill alleging that a scheme was hatched to woo the MPs in order to vote for the bill- a plot to divide the Ruto camp.
- Malulu Injendi
Flip-flopping Malava Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi has in the recent past been seen as a watermelon.
The legislators recently ditched Ruto’s camp for Mudavadi had in December 2020 ditched the Jubilee camp for Raila’s ODM.
Prior to joining ANC, Injendi was a key figure of Ruto in Western Kenya.
- David Ochieng
The Ugenya Member of Parliament was expected to vote against the bill considering the litany of questions he raised on the place of the initiative in the August House.
During the initial stages of the debate, the lawmaker termed the BBI Bill an ‘Executive initiative’ citing expenditure of public funds to facilitate the change process.
- Gideon Konchella
Despite the fact that most Ruto’s allies rejected the bill citing there was no benefit in the document for their constituents, Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella instead voted for Yes.
- Gideon Koskey
Observers claim that despite Chepalungu MP Gideon Koske speaking volume the legislator voted in favour of the bill.
During the debate, the Chama Cha Mashinani MP categorically said there was no need for MPs to spend time debating whether to amend the bill or not but intaed pass it to the people to decide.
Joash Nyamoko of North Migirango constituency his Maara counterpart Kareke Mbiuki also voted for the bill.
