Laikipia assembly rejects Punguza Mizigo Bill

The Laikipia assembly on Wednesday rejected the Punguza Mizigo Bill.

All members present rejected the bill, citing various reasons ranging from increased corruption and under-representation.

Majority leader Peter Thomi tabled the document.

Mutahi Muritu of Tigithi said that when the previous constitution was amended to repeal Section 2A in 1992 to create room for multi-parties, it sought to give former President Daniel Moi immense powers.

“The former president said if the constitution was to be amended, people should forget the 14 years he had ruled the country,” Mutahi said.

He said the same case would apply if the constitution was amended to give President Uhuru Kenyatta a chance to contest in 2022.

Igwamiti MCA Joseph Kiguru argued that if some wards and constituencies were to be scrapped, some people would be disadvantaged as they would be under-represented.

“A ward like Igwamiti has more than 40,000 registered voters, meaning that it has more registered voters in some constituencies in Lamu county,” Kiguru said.

Zamzam Salma from Laikipia North argued that people from the area struggled to have their own constituency since they felt that they were marginalised. The constituency was created shortly before the 2007 election.

Some of the Punguza Mizigo's proposals include reducing the number of MPs from 416 to 147. Others are to have the Senate elevated to be an Upper House to ensure the National Assembly is checked and oversighted.