Thirdway Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot has been dealt another blow after Nakuru County Assembly rejected the controversial Punguza Mizigo Bill.
Justice and Legal Affairs Committee Chairperson Erick Gichuki who tabled the report by the committee on the floor of the house after scrutinizing the bill said assembly members were not happy with several recommendations made by Aukot in the bill.
Nakuru County Assembly became the eighth assembly to reject Punguza Mizigo Bill, terming it populist. In its report, the committee said the Bill offers nothing.
“Having carefully scrutinised the bill, the committee has taken note that the bill is a populist initiative to win favour of ordinary Kenyans while in reality it offers nothing meaningful in terms of substance and process,” Eric Gichuki said.
The Viwandani Ward Representative added that Mr Aukot made the bill in a way that no amendments would be made on it yet it was obvious that not all would agree with all its content.
“There are pertinent issues raised on the bill which require to be changed before we can pass it. The manner in which it was drafted, the bill leaves no room for us to make amendments on it which is our role,” said Gichuki.
“The chapters of the Punguza Mizigo are faulty. How can they say they won’t amend it, not even adding a comma? The bill has no space in the Assembly,” former majority leader Stanley Karanja added.
The proposal to reduce the number of constituencies from 290 to 47 and adopting the 47 counties as the electoral units did not sit well with members. And so was the proposal to limit the presidential term to seven years.
Speaker Joel Kairu said members had spoken and that it was the decision of the majority that prevailed.
Some of the counties that have since debated and rejected the Bill include Homa Bay, Siaya, Nyamira and Murang’a. Only Uasin Gishu County has passed it.
At least 24 county assemblies should approve the bill for it to move to the National Assembly and the Senate for approval.
