This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
With less than 20 days left to discuss and conclude debate, the Punguza Mizigo Initiative, backed by Deputy President William Ruto, has failed to gain momentum in the country's 47 county assemblies.
According to interviews with county assembly leadership, only six devolved units are likely to pass the bill, bringing the total to seven after Uasin Gishu County endorsed the Bill. However, this number falls short of the 24 required to introduce the Bill in Parliament.
Debate on the Bill has been derailed by the sudden decision by ward representatives to convene public hearings at the tail-end of a three-month constitutional timeline, sparking speculation that this is an attempt by the Bill's opponents to run down the clock ahead of the October 15 deadline.
Among the counties that have already rejected the Bill are Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Nyamira, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Bungoma. The Bill proposes to have wards as the primary unit of development, reduce the number of MPs from 416 to 147, and have a single seven-year presidential term, as well as tough anti-corruption measures.
Yesterday, Third Way Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot blamed the Government for the challenges his party was facing in having the Bill passed by counties. Dr. Aukot claimed that his party had
