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| Juja MP George Koimburi |
Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi has issued an apology to the National Assembly for his controversial remarks made during the voting process of the recently withdrawn Finance Bill 2024. Juja MP George Koimburi (Pictured) is seeking forgiveness after claiming that MPs who supported Finance Bill 2024 were offered KSh 2 million each. Koimburi, ahead of the #OccupyParliament protests, alleged that MPs who supported the bill had been bribed with KSh 2 million each. During the parliamentary session on Tuesday, July 23, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula read Koimburi’s apology letter to the offended members of parliament. In his letter, Koimburu expressed regret for his remarks, stating that he is an ambassador of peace. “I, George Koimburi Ndung’u, would like to tender my apology to the House leadership and my fellow members of parliament. I understand we are living in very dynamic and sensitive times, and my past utterances may have caused problems in the country. I am remorseful and humbly seeking forgiveness. As an ambassador of peace, I pray that peace do prevail in our country. God bless Kenya,” read the apology letter. The MP, who was in Mombasa at the time, acknowledged that he was the author of the letter. This admission sparked outrage among several MPs, who called for disciplinary action against him for damaging the reputation of legislators. “When an honorable member makes such claims, they must provide strict proof. If he cannot substantiate his statements publicly and receives no consequences for his dishonesty, we indirectly pressure him to retract. He claims he was offered KSh 2 million; he should show us who made that offer. If he lied, he should face punishment,” said Nairobi Women Rep, Esther Passaris. They pointed out that his comments had escalated tensions, leading to unrest among Gen Z protestors who forcefully entered Parliament premises, causing damages estimated at KSh 100 million. Acknowledging the concerns raised by the upset MPs, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula announced that he had instructed the implicated MP to appear before Parliament on July 30 to provide clarification regarding the complaints raised and to elaborate on the context of his apology letter.
by Nancy Odindo