This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
On August 30, 2019, Siaya County Assembly rejected the Punguza Mizigo Draft Bill 2019, a proposal fronted by Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot.
The assembly's decision was based on a report tabled by the Chairman of the House committee on Legal Affairs, Francis Otiato, who argued that the bill does not address issues affecting Kenyans.
The MCAs also faulted the bill for not providing a mechanism to realise the two-thirds gender rule in county assemblies and the Senate, and for proposing to try corruption suspects within 30 days, which they said would be counterproductive.
They also expressed concerns that the country has borrowed money excessively, yet the Punguza Mizigo Bill has not provided a means through which to curb the huge debt.
According to the report, the committee recommends that the county rejects the bill since it proposes changes that may erode the democratic gains achieved so far, and enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
The assembly will now communicate its decision to the speakers of the National Assembly and Senate in the next two weeks.
