This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
On September 25, 2019, Kiambu County became the third Central Kenya region to reject the Punguza Mizigo Bill, following in the footsteps of Kirinyaga and Murang'a counties.
The bill, which aims to reduce the number of elected leaders and introduce a single seven-year term for the president, has faced widespread criticism from residents and leaders across the region.
During public participation forums in Nyandarua county, residents expressed concerns over the proposal, citing the lack of representation and the failure to provide solutions for the remuneration of elected leaders.
Residents in Ol Kalou, Ndaragua, Kipipiri, and Ol Joro Orok constituencies raised concerns over the sharing of national resources, representation, and the merging and amending of constituency boundaries.
Participants in the poorly attended forums were unhappy with the introduction of a single seven-year term for the president and the lack of consideration for women's roles in leadership.
Residents also expressed concerns over the document's many gaps, which they believe are open to political manipulation and abuse if approved by the assemblies.
