This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
July 31, 2019
Opposition to the Punguza Mizigo initiative, a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at reducing the country's wage bill, has gained momentum in the run-up to the 2022 general elections.
At the forefront of the opposition are bigwigs from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who has expressed concerns over the initiative's constitutionality.
Mr. Odinga has proposed that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a separate constitutional reform process backed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, should have the final say on any amendment to the Constitution.
Other notable opponents of the Punguza Mizigo initiative include Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale, and Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula.
Prof. Nyaga Kindiki, an expert in international education and policy, has observed that the parties may see referendums as prone to populism, targeting ordinary Kenyans who may feel that their concerns are disregarded by the opposition and the government.
Dr. Ekuru Aukot, the leader of The Thirdway Alliance, has dismissed the opposition, terming it as simplistic political competition.
Dr. Aukot has argued that his bill is constitutional, done in accordance with Article 257, and not funded by any interested parties as alleged by some critics.
He has also accused his opponents of not even having read the bill and understood it, otherwise they would not oppose something that is meant to improve the lives of their own people.
