This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, chaos erupted at the West Pokot County assembly when Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot presented the Punguza Mizigo bill. The bill, which aimed to reduce the wage bill by cutting costs on paying many nominated leaders, was met with strong opposition from a section of Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
As the debate turned chaotic, MCAs insulted Dr. Ekuru Aukot, citing that he was frustrating some of the marginalized counties, including West Pokot, where no woman was elected. This led to the nomination of 10 women in the House.
Only four MCAs remained in the House to listen to Aukot as the rest (29 ward reps) walked out in protest, vowing to vote down the constitutional amendment bill. Aukot was forced to terminate his session and moved to Makutano town, where he addressed the residents.
One of the nominated MCAs, Eunice Andiema, expressed her opposition to the bill, saying, "Why scrap off nominations? Ekuru should focus on fighting corruption rather than fighting the Constitution." Batei MCA Solomon Angelei also spoke out against the bill, stating, "We have been marginalized for years. Yet Aukot wants us to be more marginalised. Marginalised counties will be affected if it goes through. We oppose it 100 percent."
The Speaker of the county assembly, Catherine Mukenyang, explained that a larger number of MCAs rejected the bill due to a court order that bars Aukot from tabling the bill in county assemblies. Aukot later addressed a handful of residents at Jacaranda, sensitizing them on Punguza Mizigo and urging them to convince their MCAs to adopt the bill.
