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.
Comments
Sounds good dialogue..I…
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Sounds good dialogue..I support..
Is Aukot(a constitution…
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Is Aukot(a constitution writer) confirming what i have been saying since 2009,that the so-called constitution drafters never read it after photo-copying from American one and just adding wome reps?Kenya does not need such a bloated govt-48 governments plus 600+ ministries.Counties should be reduced to seven with Nairobi merging with Central province.Senate,women reps should be scrapped all together with MPs reduced to just 100.Only Nairobi,Kakamega,Kiambu,Nakuru and Mombasa should have 3 MPs.MCAs should be reduced to 1500 and ministries to a maximum-100.
This bill is long overdue…
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This bill is long overdue. The country simply cannot afford such a waste of resources, paying so many useless people for doing nothing.
He can get 2M signatures,…
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He can get 2M signatures, but will not get 1M votes. Every County is fighting for more representation.
This is an initiative that…
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This is an initiative that needs to be supported by every right thinking Kenya. We have a very big government and the wage bill is too much for us. In my opinion, we do not need special seats for women or anyone. No nominated politicians at any level please. Kenya is a democracy where everyone has the same right and opportunity to run for any political seat. We should have 47 senators and none nominated! We should go back to the old number of constituencies - around 180! The senate should also be superior to the national assembly.
This is a wise move by Dr…
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This is a wise move by Dr.Ekuru Aukot
Kenyans should support this.
If allowed to say,Hon Dr…
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If allowed to say,Hon Dr Ekuru Aukot is the best leader kenyans will miss.He is on point.we are wasting so much on individuals who only can stand to talk for their personal gain.We need real warriors,who sees what kenyans need with out compromising any situation.
Kindly facilitate me in…
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Kindly facilitate me in Matungu constituency to help collect signatures.Am sure of not less than 10000 signature. I'm committed to this change. However instead of saying you do away with Senate, just call them upper and lower houses
Hi. Kindly we Nee to help…
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Hi. Kindly we Nee to help collect signatures. My phone 0721293368, Matungu constituency, Harambee market.
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