This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gave the green light to the Punguza Mzigo Initiative, a popular quest to reduce the term of the President and number of representatives in Parliament and county assemblies.
The initiative, led by former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot, had submitted 1.2 million signatures in support of the proposed constitutional changes.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati confirmed that the commission had verified the signatures and found that the initiative had been supported by 1,222,541 registered voters, exceeding the required threshold of one million.
According to Article 257 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, the initiative will now be sent to the 47 county assemblies for consideration. The assemblies must agree on the proposed changes for them to move to the next step.
Mr. Chebukati stated that the draft amendment Bill submitted by Mr. Aukot's team will be sent to the assemblies through their speakers, who will consider it within three months.
The proposed changes include reducing the term of the President to seven years, reducing the number of MPs and senators from 416 to 147, scrapping nominated positions in the Senate and county assemblies, and increasing county allocations from 15 to 35 per cent of the annual audited revenues.
