A high-profile clash has erupted between two prominent Kenyan public figures over the future of the nation’s governance.
Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has challenged activist Eric Omondi’s ambitious campaign to reduce the number of counties and elective seats.
The dispute comes as Omondi launches his signature-collection drive at the National Archives in Nairobi on Monday.
Omondi is leading a campaign under the hashtag #PunguzaMzigo to overhaul Kenya’s administrative structure. His primary goal is to slash the number of counties from 47 to eight, arguing that devolution has burdened citizens rather than helping them.
“Devolution was meant to bring services to Kenyans but all it brought was corruption, tribalism, nepotism and a burden to citizens,” Eric Omondi says.
The Omondi Initiative
Omondi’s initiative proposes a radical consolidation of power. His plan involves abolishing nominated MPs, nominated senators, nominated MCAs, and Women Representatives. He also seeks to reduce the number of elected MCAs.
Omondi argues that the immense financial savings from these cuts would fund free education from primary school to university.
The activist claims his team has already gathered substantial support. Omondi announced, “We have so far collected 450,000 signatures from Kakamega, Meru and Mombasa alone.”
He plans to spend the entire week at the National Archives collecting signatures from Nairobi residents. Omondi aims to secure 1 million signatures to submit to the electoral commission, hoping to hold a referendum during the August 2027 general election.
Constitutional Roadblocks
However, Lang’ata MP Jalang’o has raised major legal concerns about the feasibility of Omondi’s plan. Responding to the activist online, Jalang’o pointed out that amending the constitution is a highly complex legal process that must involve the very politicians Omondi seeks to remove.
“Yawa Eric, have you read the constition and what it taketo even change a coma?” Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o) questioned.
Jalang’o questioned whether the proposed changes could ever pass legislative hurdles. He posted, “Even if you collected 50M signatures, it will still come to the parliament to be voted by the same people you want to do away with! Do you think they will vote themselves out of work?”
The MP also reminded Omondi that a referendum requires meeting strict geographical thresholds. Jalang’o asked, “Eric do you know you also need to collect signatures from 20% of registredvoters from the 47 counties you want to do away with?”
He warned Omondi that the path is far more difficult than it appears, adding, “Eric my brother I also used to think it would be easy, no its not!”
Demands for Accountability
To bolster his argument, Jalang’o referenced the recent “Katiba @ 16” celebrations held two weeks ago. The three-day event provided an opportunity to examine the gains and flaws of the 2010 Constitution. The MP suggested Omondi should have shared his recommendations during those discussions.
Despite the criticism, Omondi remains defiant. He posted, “We are going to REDUCE THE COUNTIES FROM 47 to 8!!! IT WILL HAPPEN!!!!” The signature collection drive in Nairobi runs from Monday until Friday.
