Ekuru Aukot heckled in West Pokot County

Chaos ensued at West Pokot County assembly on Wednesday when Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot and his team presented Punguza Mizigo bill before the house. 

The county assembly which was divided turned chaotic as a section of MCAs rejected the Punguza Mizigo Bill.

Members of county assembly insulted Dr Ekuru Aukot citing that he was frustrating some of the marginalised counties like West Pokot where no woman was elected which led to the nomination of 10 women in the House.

Only four MCAs remained in the House to listen to the Thirdway Alliance party leader as the rest (29 ward reps) walked out of the county assembly in protest, vowing to vote down the constitutional amendment bill.

Aukot was forced to terminate his session and moved to Makutano town where he addressed the residents.

One of the nominated MCAs Eunice Andiema said the bill will frustrate the efforts of women from marginalised counties who have made strides towards the two thirds gender rule.

"Why scrap off nominations? Ekuru should focus on fighting corruption rather than fighting the Constitution," she said.

Batei MCA Solomon Angelei said: "We have been marginalized for years.  Yet Aukot wants us to be more marginalised.  Marginalised counties will be affected if it goes through. We oppose it 100 percent.”

The Speaker of the county assembly Catherine Mukenyang said a larger number of MCAs rejected it because there is a court order that bars Aukot from tabling the bill in county assemblies.

"It was an informal meeting. He only addressed few MCAs. Once he gets clearance from the courts that is when we will give him an ear," she said.

Aukot who addressed a handful of residents at Jacaranda sensitised the locals on Punguza Mizigo as he urged them to convince their MCAs to adopt the bill.

 "The bill will help reduce the wage bill by cutting cost on paying many nominated leaders that are not performing," he said.

"The minimum funding to counties would be raised from at least 15 per cent of national revenue to at least 35 per cent," he added.