Aukot marshals support for bill in the counties

Third Way Alliance leader Dr Ekuru Aukot (centre) at the Murang’a County Assembly where he made a case for his bill. [Boniface Gikand, Standard]

Third Way Alliance leader Ekuru Aukot was in Murang’a and Embu county assemblies yesterday to make a case for the Punguza Mizigo referendum Bill.

Speaking at Murang’a County Assembly, Dr Aukot told off critics of his push for a national referendum, saying he was determined to off load the financial burden Kenyans are struggling with.

“There have been politicians questioning my source of funds, they are welcome to support my bid,” said Aukot.

He also noted that the country will save Sh3.5 trillion if proposals in the bill are to adopted.

He pointed a finger at parliament, which he said is currently bloated and should have legislators numbers reduced to help the country save Sh155 billion annually.

He faulted the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) saying it is a state funded initiative with a Sh11 billion budget which is a waste of taxpayers money.

“BBI is not anchored in law, I have gone to court seeking for its disbandment,” said Aukot.

Murang’a County Speaker Nduati Kariuki said the bill will be debated in the assembly to make a resolution.

Mr Nduati said it is a good thing that identify cards should be used in future voting in general elections, as part of cost cutting measures.

“We shall take our time to hear the motion on the referendum bill, before engaging the the public as the law requires,” said Nduati.

MCAs reservations

Some MCAs poked holes in the bill saying it will not help the country. Ichagaki MCA Charles Mwangi  said the initiative has been overtaken by events since ward representatives have a little role to play in achieving its ideals.

In Embu County, Aukot spoke about cutting governance expenses at the national level and channeling the money to the grassroots through wards.

Under the proposal, he said Constitutional Development Fund will be scrapped and be replaced by Ward Development Fund to accelerate growth in wards.

“Embu has four constituencies. Each receives Sh400 million. Under the proposed bill, the 20 wards will receive Sh2 billion. This will be possible when 35 per cent of the national budget goes to counties,” Aukot said.

The MCAs however expressed reservations saying that the way the bill is structured, people will be underrepresented.

Last week Nairobi County Speaker Chege Mwaura confirmed that the bill had been submitted to the county assembly.

Mr Mwaura however explained he had momentarily halted debate on the bill to allow for a consultative meeting with other county assemblies on the direction to take with the high-stakes legislation.

“We want to read from the same script as other county assemblies and to this effect, we will convene a meeting through the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) so that we know how we are going to handle the motion across all the counties,” said Mwaura.

“We do not want a situation where one county is passing the bill today and it is being rejected in another after a few months. “