IEBC confirms 1 million signatures in Dr Ekuru Aukot's petition to amend the Constitution

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Thursday confirmed that a plan to change the Constitution has begun.

A plan proposed by Dr Ekuru Aukot's Thirdway Alliance Party was cleared to enter the second stage of the process after the party was able to collect over one million signatures in support.

"On February 28th, 2019, the promoters of Punguza Mzigo (Constitutional Amendment) Initiative, sponsored by Thirdway Alliance Kenya Party, delivered to the Commission a draft Constitutional amendment Bill and details of supporters of the Bill both in soft and hard copy.

IEBC confirms 1 million signatures in Dr Ekuru Aukot's Punguza Mzigo petition to amend the Constitution ece-auto-gen

"The Commission has since verified that the initiative has been supported by 1,222,541 registered voters," the statement from IEBC read in part.

County Assemblies to decide on Punguza Mzigo

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati further informed the public that the petition will now be forwarded to the county assemblies for consideration.

"The Commission shall submit the draft Bill to each of the 47 county assemblies for consideration within three months from the date of submission by the Commission.

"Therafter, the Speakers of the respective County Assemblies will submit the decisions of their respective County Assemblies to the Speakers of the National Asembly and the Senate pursuant to Article 257(6) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010," the statement outlined.

Nairobi County Assembly during a past session. IEBC confirms 1 million signatures in Dr Ekuru Aukot's Punguza Mzigo petition to amend the Constitution Pulse Live Kenya

The Bill advocates the reduction of the number of MPs from the current 416 to 147, caps monthly salaries of elected leaders to a maximum pay of Sh500,000 for the president and Sh300,000 for MPs, as well as increasing counties' share of national revenue from 15 per cent to at least 35 per cent.