Former Presidential Aspirant Ekuru Aukot Launches Bid to Reduce Number of MPs from 349 to 194

Former Presidential aspirant Dr Ekuru Aukot has formally launched a bid to slash the number of Members of Parliament from the current 349 to 194.

In a campaign dubbed "Operation Punguza Mzigo" Ekuru wants to collect 1 million signatures and throw the country into a Referendum that will see the number of lawmakers reduced by almost half.

Speaking when he launched the initiative at Lavington, Nairobi on Saturday, the Thirdway Alliance party leader said the move would cut down the wage bill to Sh5 billion annually.

Under Aukot's new proposal, each of the current 47 counties will be transformed into constituencies, with each electing a male and female representative to Parliament.

Equally, each of the constituency will elect a male and female representative to the Senate bringing the total number of MPs to 188.

"Each constituency will elect into senate one woman and one man. Only the National Assembly will have six nominated seats from special groups," he said.

"We will visit the counties to elaborate this and popularise on the referendum and give the Kenyans chance to sign the form in hard copy," he added.

The additional 6 members will be nominated to the August House to represent special interest groups, including people living with disability, youth and women, bringing the total number of lawmakers to 194.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has already approved Aukot's push to collect the signatures from voters.

"We are seeking to establish a professional parliament that will perform its roles," he told journalists on Saturday.

"Our current parliament is bloated. In fact, some MPs have expressed concerns that they are so many that other miss a chance to talk," he said.

"Kenya can't afford 416 representatives.. our population has more pressing needs than to spend resources on few individuals," he said.