This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
On October 11, 2019, a public participation forum was held in Trans-Nzoia, where majority of residents expressed their opposition to Ekuru Aukot's Punguza Mizigo Bill of 2019.
The Bill, which aimed to reduce the number of elected officials, was met with mixed reactions from the county assembly members. While some supported the Bill, others strongly opposed it.
Mathew Nyarang'o, the chairman of the assembly's justice and legal affairs committee, faulted Ekuru's motion, describing its proposals as too unrealistic and retrogressive on the gains achieved under the current 2010 constitution.
According to Nyarang'o, the Bill was branded as a populist by the assembly, with its main proponent, Thirdway Alliance's party leader Ekuru Aukot, being accused of having a political agenda rather than a reform one.
Female MCAs termed the amendment Bill as discriminatory to women and youths and patriarchal owing to a proposal to scrap nomination of positions which cater for affirmative action.
Matumbei ward MCA Jeremiah Wakhulia, however, faulted his colleagues over what he termed as insincerity, saying they subjected the document to prejudice instead of scrutinising it critically.
The assembly, however, found favour with the clause to have the senate be upgraded to be the Upper House to put an end to the rivalry with the national assembly which has negatively impacted on devolution.
