The Governing Council of the County Assemblies Friday unanimously rejected the Punguza mizigo Constitutional amendment Bill 2019.
The punguza mizigo bill had been introduced by Dr.Ekuru Aukot, chairman of third way alliance calling on some amendments on the constitution in order to reduce some posts.
Speaking Friday after holding deliberations at a Nairobi hotel on the issue, Secretary General of the County Assembly Forum (CAF) Kipkurui Chepkwony said the bill did not consider public participation and consultation prior to the preparation of the bill hence the views were not fully representative of the public
“Members of the County Assemblies that have processed the Bill and rejected it have noted sections in the Bill that need amendments and the constitution cannot be amended,” Chepkwony added.
While CAF appreciates the constitutional and statutory mandate and powers of the County Assemblies over matters before them, Chepkwony called upon County Assemblies which are yet to process the Bill to proceed and reject it.
The Chairman County Assemblies Forum Ndegwa Wahome said that, “from the public participation that was undertaken by County Assemblies that have so far rejected the Bill and the others awaiting to process it, members of the public have openly expressed fears over the Bill”.
The proposed amendment was to take away the gains so far made to achieve gender representation by removing the nominated members in the senate and deleting Article. 177 of the Constitution which defeats the not-more-than 2/3 gender rule in the county Assemblies, Ndegwa added.
By David Musungu
