Awendo MP Walter Owino has undergone disc surgery to ease an excruciating back pain he says he has endured for days.
Owino has been admitted to an Indian hospital for about two weeks, he told the Star when the paper reached out for comment on his absence.
He was admitted to Epic Hospital in Ahmedabad, India where surgery to remove two discs from his lower back was conducted on Wednesday.
The lawmaker said the procedure was the reason for his absence in the raging debate around the controversial tax law.
“The procedure went well though I am still in pain. The discs were replaced and I am able to walk using a walker,” he said.
A video recording seen by the Star – which we cannot publish for medical confidentiality reasons – ascertained this fact.
It shows the visibly pained lawmaker being aided to walk by helpers at the hospital after the disc replacement.
The Awendo MP is among the 28 lawmakers the ODM party has called out for skipping the crucial vote on the Finance Bill last Wednesday.
ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna said the party had received complaints within the membership during the vote.
A total of 176 MPs voted for the Bill, while 81 lawmakers mainly from the minority side voted against the legislative proposal.
At least 79 MPs did not cast their votes despite some of them being spotted within the precincts of Parliament minutes before the vote.
Esther Passaris (Nairobi MP), Aden Adow (Wajir South), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), and Caroli Omondi (Suba South) defied Azimio and voted for the Bill.
The remaining 24 ODM MPs were absent from the House, and now the party wants them to explain why they shouldn’t be punished.
Already, they – including MP Owino, have been served show-cause letters to explain their absence from the House.
Owino told the Star he had informed the party bosses, including the party leader, and hence they are aware of his situation.
