Mbita Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo has come out to explain why she is opposed to Punguza Mizigo Bill 2019 which seeks to amend the constitution through a referendum.
Odhiambo said the intent by the Thirdway Alliance party-led Bill to reduce ballooning wage bill was good but noted there were many provisions she was not comfortable with.
"On Punguza Mizigo, there is a lot that I can fault with the provisions. The overall idea of reducing the burden is good but the bill itself does not do that.
It effectively abolishes the position of MPs in the National Assembly as known today and creates women and male reps," she said.
The Bill which is being spearheaded by constitutional expert Dr Ekuru Aukot proposes a reduction of the number of MPs from the current 416 to 147 and caps their monthly salaries to a maximum pay of Sh300,000.
Odhiambo faulted reduction of the number of legislators in the National Assembly, arguing it deals a blow to the principle of effective representation.
"It does away with women representation at ward levels. It takes development further from people by doing away with current constituencies. For instance in Homa Bay County, we will move from eight to just one constituency. It will effectively kill the principle of effective representation," she said.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker made the remarks while answering questions from readers of Sunday Nation through 'Ask Your Questions segment.
She also took issue with proposals to try corruption and theft of public resources suspects within 30 days and give them 15 days to appeal.
Odhiambo, who is a lawyer, said graft cases are complex to be handled within a month and termed the proposals as 'unrealistic'.
"It has unrealistic proposals. There is no way a court can conclude complex corruption cases involving billions in 30 days," she said.
Asked whether the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was the best alternative to the Punguza Mizigo Bill, the Mbita MP said:
"The BBI is work in progress. I wait to give my views once the report is out."