This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On May 29, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) began verifying the signatures collected by Ekuru Aukot's Thirdway Alliance Kenya Party under the 'Punguza Mzigo' Initiative.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati announced that the initiative had met the required threshold of at least one million signatures, with 1,222,541 registered voters backing the proposal.
The IEBC will now send the draft Bill to each of the 47 County Assemblies for consideration within three months. The Bill needs the support of 24 County Assemblies to proceed.
According to Article 257(6) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, the Speakers of the respective County Assemblies will submit the decisions of their respective County Assemblies to the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate.
The Punguza Mzigo Initiative aims to introduce a one 7-year term presidency, reduce the number of Members of Parliament from 416 to 147, and make significant changes to the country's governance structure.
Key proposals include reducing the cost of running Parliament from Ksh 36.8 billion to Ksh 5 billion per year, increasing the counties' revenue share to 35%, and capping salaries of elected leaders.
However, the test for the referendum push lies in Parliament, where the Bill must gain the support of members of both Houses.
Published on July 18, 2019, at 6:50 PM.
