This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
Punguza Mzigo Bill Criticized for Lack of Public Participation ¶
Published on September 7, 2019.
Calystus Wafula, a prominent figure, has expressed concerns over the current debate to amend the Constitution of Kenya 2010. He argues that the Constitution amendment bill should involve the input of all Kenyans, rather than being selective and focusing only on Punguza Mzigo and BBI.
The Punguza Mzigo bill, Wafula claims, was shallowly drafted by one individual and not subjected to public participation as required by the law. He notes that those who were against the BBI formation are now supporting Punguza Mzigo silently.
Wafula criticizes the bill for failing to address real issues affecting the country's economy, such as high public wage bill, corruption, and unemployment. He argues that the bill is below average in solutions and maintains the status quo.
Wafula urges Kenyans to read the Punguza Mzigo bill against the Constitution and stop following malicious information. He also calls on the media fraternity to shed light on the Ondoa Gharama bill constitution amendment 2019, which seeks to address various issues affecting the country.
Wafula's Ondoa Gharama bill proposes several reforms, including:
- Convicted officials of corruption and theft must not hold public office.
- Mandatory death sentence for convicts of corruption and thieves of public resources.
- Trials must be within 30 days with appeals going for only 20 days.
- Scrapping off of the women's Representative, Senate, and all nominated seats, as well as deputy governor's positions.
- Merging and collapsing of commissions to only 5.
- Strengthening and empowering the SRC to be an independent office.
- Elective positions, from presidency to ward representatives, to be categorized and paid on a job group.
- Establishing and empowering the offices of the Auditor General and Financial controller to operate independently.
- Abolishing two-term presidency and replacing it with one term of 8 years.
- Opposition leader to sit in Parliament, while the DP to lead government business in the house.
- Scrapping off/declaring illegal all kitties allocated to individuals or politicians.
Wafula urges members of the public to look out for the bill that seeks to address the above issues and decide for themselves which bill addresses their current situation.
