This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
On July 31, 2019, the High Court dealt a blow to the Punguza Mizigo amendment bill, temporarily stopping the 47 counties from debating and approving it.
Justice James Makau issued a ruling that barred the Third Way Alliance Kenya Party from presenting the bill to the speaker of the National Assembly pending the hearing and determination of a petition.
The petition, filed by David Kamau Ngari and the International Economic Law Centre, challenged the authenticity of the signatures that procured the bill, alleging that it was done through deceit and illegalities.
The court ordered the parties to file their response within 14 days, with the orders remaining in force until then.
Dr. Ekuru Aukot, the proposer of the bill, had been drumming up support for the bill in various county assemblies, including Murang'a and Embu.
He claimed that the bill aimed to reduce the rising burden on ordinary Kenyans and address the menace of massive corruption, saving the country approximately Sh 3.78 trillion every year.
The bill proposed reducing the number of Members of Parliament from 290 to 147 and doing away with nominated positions, among other measures.
