Comedian turned activist Eric Omondi suggested that President William Ruto has the opportunity to make history by forming a streamlined government that can effectively revive the country’s economy.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Daybreak show, Omondi proposed that the president should consider reducing the number of county governors from 47 to 24 to curb public spending and manage the growing wage bill. He drew parallels with Texas in the United States, which, despite its size compared to Kenya, is governed by a single governor.
“We need a lean government. President Ruto could be the biggest winner of the Gen Z revolution because he’s been given an opportunity to do what the people want,” he said.
“I might be the only person who has the moral authority to say what I have to say because I have been arrested 13 times and my message has never changed. We need a very lean government, I would even suggest, Mr president take your time and when you’re ready, we need to cut down on the number of counties and governors from 47 to 24.”
He also recommended the removal of Woman Representatives and questioned why they did not voice their opinion when a clause in the Finance Bill 2024 proposed for sanitary pads to be taxed.
“How could we have a clause in the Finance Bill 2024 that taxes pads and we have 47 woman reps. They couldn’t hold a forum or maandamano against it? What are they representing? Do we need woman reps? The president needs to do away with people who need to be done away with. He started by dissolving the Cabinet. I know he will fire all the parastatal heads. He needs to fire the Inspector General of Police today,” he said.
According to the Constitution, governors can be impeached or removed from office for several reasons, including violations of the Constitution, engagement in criminal activities, abuse of office, or physical or mental incapacity to perform their duties.
Reducing the number of county governors would require changing the constitutional structure, which could be initiated through a parliamentary process. Any amendment to alter the number of governors would likely necessitate a referendum to pass and become law.
