Comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi believes President William Ruto is on the brink of making history by creating a lean and efficient government to revive Kenya's economy. Speaking on Citizen TV's Daybreak show on Friday, Omondi recommended reducing the number of county governors from 47 to 24 to cut public expenditure and curb the ballooning wage bill.
Eric Omondi - Activist: We need a lean government. The president needs to cut down on the number of governors & do away with the women rep. position. Why do we need women reps., yet there was a clause in the Finance Bill taxing pads, wanafanya kazi gani? #CitizenDayBreak pic.twitter.com/mOlQlRmdeW
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 12, 2024
Omondi compared Kenya to Texas, USA, a state larger than Kenya but governed by only one governor. "We need a lean government. President Ruto could be the biggest winner of the Gen Z revolution because he has the opportunity to do what the people want," he said. "I might be the only person with the moral authority to speak because I’ve been arrested 13 times, and my message has never changed.
Did you read this?
We need a very lean government. I suggest, Mr. President, take your time and when ready, cut down the number of counties and governors from 47 to 24."
Activist Eric Omondi now wants President Ruto and his UDA Party to rescind Karen Nyamu's Senate nomination & replace her with a Mama Mboga.
— Mambo Mseto X (@MamboMseto254) July 12, 2024
Nyamu has been on the news headlines for the wrong reasons with Ruto admitting on his X Space to severally talking to her to change. pic.twitter.com/Bvx2915YfO
Omondi also called for the elimination of Woman Representatives, criticizing their silence on the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed taxing sanitary pads. "How could we have a clause in the Finance Bill 2024 that taxes pads with 47 woman reps in office? They couldn't hold a forum or protests against it? What are they representing? Do we need woman reps? The president needs to do away with unnecessary positions.
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," Omondi asserted.
Eric Omondi - Activist: If President Ruto attempts to meet politicians to start a coalition, he will be a one-term president. He shouldn't bring back anything we've seen before, we need a new set of faces #CitizenDayBreak @TrevorOmbija pic.twitter.com/BxCRPPPOnm
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 12, 2024
According to the Constitution, governors can be removed from office for violating the Constitution, engaging in criminal activities, abusing office, or being physically or mentally incapable of performing their functions. Reducing the number of county governors would require a parliamentary initiative and possibly a referendum to amend the Constitution.