This archive report was first published on 24 October 2019.
On October 23, 2019, Thirdway Alliance leader Ekuru Aukot acknowledged that his Punguza Mizigo Initiative had not captured the aspirations of many Kenyans, following its rejection by county assemblies.
Aukot attributed the bill's collapse to political pressure and corruption, stating that some Members of County Assembly (MCAs) were arm-twisted to stop the bill's progress.
He cited Kirinyaga's affidavit, which indicated that MCAs did not reject the bill but suspended it, and noted that it was absurd to take such action over a bill with a time frame of only three months.
Aukot also praised Kenyans who looked beyond party lines and considered the Bill, citing Turkana County, which debated and accepted the bill, and Uasin Gishu MCAs, who focused on development and not politics to increase economic development.
He regretted that Kenyans will carry the burden of accrued national debts, which has hit Sh4 trillion in only six years, and blamed Members of Parliament for approving debts.
