Thirdway Alliance leader Dr. Ekuru Aukot has said the Punguza Mizigo Bill will save Kenya Kshs 3.78 trillion. Aukot has urged senior leaders to support the initiative, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying it will boost his legacy. On February, The Thirdway Alliance party presented to the IEBC a draft Constitutional Amendment Bill and undertook a verification exercise to confirm whether the initiative was supported by at least 1 million registered voters, according to the Constitution. On Thursday, IEBC confirmed that the party had reached the required support threshold, by getting the signatures of 1,222,541 Kenyans. According to the party, the Bill, titled Punguza Mizigo is aimed at amendments that will reduce the heavy financial outlay especially in the area of Kenya’s governance structure.
Speaking to the press on Friday in Nairobi, Aukot urged leaders to support it when it’s taken to the Counties for further review, “This Bill brings immense benefits to your Counties.” He said the Bill shouldn’t be politicized because the party highlighted national issues, not party or political interests. He affirmed that President Kenyatta’s legacy will be boosted if he supports the Bill, because of the financial relief it offers. “If you support this Bill you’ll be fighting thieves of public money, you will easily achieve your Big Four Agenda when we save Kshs 3.78 trillion, we have costed this Bill,” he said.
He added that if the President supports the Bill, economic development and growth will be boosted, “We can even immediately begin to repay our current huge national debt..we will be able to address all outstanding CBAs, which are all standing at less than Kshs 10 billion.” After IEBC verified the Bill, a draft Bill will be presented to the 47 Counties for consideration within three months of its submission. Afterwards, the County Assemblies Speakers will present the decisions to the National Assembly and Senate Speakers.