Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen and his counterpart in the National Assembly Aden Duale have disagreed over Punguza Mizigo Bill 2019.
The Bill, which seeks to reduce the ballooning public wage bill by reducing the number of elective seats, could be subjected to a referendum by early next year if 24 or more county assemblies endorse it.
The Punguza Mizigo Bill is a brainchild of Thirdway Alliance under the leadership of former presidential candidate Dr Ekuru Aukot who led a popular initiative to collect over 1.2 million signatures of registered voters to change the constitution.
After the Bill is discussed and passed by Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) it will be forwarded to the National Assembly and Senate for debate.
However, Majority Leaders in both Houses are divided over Aukot's proposal and have indicated they will vote differently.
Duale said by proposing a reduction of the number of MPs from 416 to 147, the legislators will lobby for MCAs to shoot down the Punguza Mizigo Bill.
“By attempting to cut on the representation of the people, the Punguza Mizigo Bill has begun its journey to the funeral at the County Assemblies, we will lobby them to reject it in total,” said the Garissa Township MP on Friday.
On his part, Murkomen termed the Bill as 'attractive' to Senators due to proposal to increase budgetary allocation to counties to 35 per cent of the national revenue and hinted the Senate will endorse it.
“Because of the provision on strengthening Senate and strengthening devolution and guaranteeing 35 per cent going to counties again that is extremely attractive to Senate there are high chances senators might welcome his proposals based on the current struggle we have had for the last six years,” he said.
The Elgeyo-Marakwet lawmaker said another reason Senators may support the Punguza Mizigo Bill was the proposal to make the Senate the Upper House with veto power.
“In the current context of what we are going through, the constitutional issues we are dealing with in the Senate and counties, Aukot’s proposals are extremely attractive to those who support devolution, if it is that attractive, there is high probability that his proposal will pass,” said Murkomen.