Days after the Third Way Alliance party leader Aukuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo Initiative suffered a major blow following its rejections in over 23 counties, the party leader has promised a major come back of the Initiative after a retreat.
While sending out his Mashujaa Day message of goodwill to Kenyans, Aukot assured Kenyans that his bill was not yet out and that he (Ekuru) together with his team was going back to the drawing board.
The former presidential candidate urged Kenyans to remain optimistic and watch out for a signal from the team once it is done with the retreat while advising them to get ready to walk with the bill.
“We are not yet out rather we are going back to the drawing board and we will re-emerge even much stronger. Wait for the signal and be ready to walk the talk with us,” stated Aukot.
On this #MashujaaDay2019, I wish all Kenyans #HappyMashujaaDay. I also want to reassure Kenyans that #PunguzaMizigoBill2019 is not out. We are back to the drawing board. Wait for the signal and be ready to walk the talk with us at @Thirdwaykenya @CpaWaweru @fokango https://t.co/tr8OTamGll
— #PunguzaMizigoKenya (@EAukot) October 20, 2019
Aukot’s initiative was only passed in two counties of Uasin Gishu and Turkana with over 24 others rejecting it saying the bill aimed at eroding the gains made by the 2010 Constitution.
To succeed, the draft bill required the support of MCAs from at least 24 regional assemblies. Most counties rejected the bill claiming the reduction of the number of MPs will lead to unfair representation in the National Assembly and reduce service delivery to the electorate.
Aukot accused the “big boys” in the political arena of wooing and even intimidating MCAs to reject the bill.
His remarks come at a time the Building Bridges Initiative, BBI committee is expected to hand over its final recommendations and report to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
Through a leaked report by the committee, the 47 counties are going to be reduced to 14 regional blocks, introductions of a 7yr single term president through the parliamentary system, creations of a prime minister position, MPs to be reduced to 180, all nomination positions to be scrapped and senate to be the upper house with 29 members.