NAIROBI, Kenya – Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has challenged comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi over his push to amend Kenya’s Constitution, questioning whether the ambitious campaign can overcome the legal and political hurdles standing in its way.
Jalang’o spoke as Omondi intensified his Punguza Mzigo signature-collection campaign, which seeks to fundamentally restructure Kenya’s system of government.
Omondi has been collecting signatures in support of a proposed constitutional amendment that would reduce Kenya’s 47 counties to eight regional units. He argues that the restructuring would reduce the cost of running government and free up resources for services such as education.
The activist has also proposed scrapping several political positions, including the Senate, Women Representative seats and nominated positions, as part of his broader campaign to reduce what he describes as excessive political representation.
Jalang’o questioned the practicality of Omondi’s proposal, particularly because the initiative would have to pass through institutions whose members could lose their positions if the reforms succeed.
“Even if you collected 50 million signatures, it will still come to Parliament to be voted on by the same people you want to do away with,” Jalang’o said.
He also questioned whether lawmakers would willingly support legislation that could abolish their own positions.
“Do you think they will vote themselves out of work?” he asked.
The MP’s argument centred on the constitutional process rather than simply the popularity of Omondi’s proposal.
Under Article 257 of the Constitution, a popular initiative must obtain at least one million verified signatures before the process can advance. Jalang’o also pointed to the geographical requirement involving registered voters across the counties.
Jalang’o further pointed to another hurdle facing Omondi’s campaign.
Because the proposal seeks to fundamentally alter the structure of devolved government, it would have to navigate the constitutional procedures involving Kenya’s county assemblies.
The MP questioned how Omondi would convince county assemblies to approve a proposal that ultimately seeks to eliminate the existing 47-county structure.
He also reminded Omondi that the process would eventually involve Kenyan voters through a referendum.
“Do you know there will be a referendum and you will have to go to the 47 counties you want to do away with?” Jalang’o asked.
He added that he once believed changing the Constitution would be straightforward before understanding the complexity of the process.
“Eric, my brother, I also used to think it would be easy. No, it’s not.”
Jalang’o also suggested that Omondi could have used the recent Katiba @ 16 celebrations as an opportunity to present his constitutional proposals and engage with stakeholders.
“Honestly, that is where you needed to be to share your thoughts and recommendations,” he told the activist.
The activist has set a target of one million verified signatures to kick-start his proposed constitutional amendment process.
Omondi said his campaign had already collected more than 450,000 signatures from previous drives in areas including Mombasa, Kakamega and Meru. He then moved the campaign to Nairobi, where he pitched camp at the Kenya National Archives in the Central Business District.
The event took another turn on Monday, September 7, when police arrested Omondi while he was collecting signatures at the National Archives.
Plain-clothes officers approached the activist and handcuffed him before taking him away in a police vehicle. Video footage of the arrest circulated widely online as onlookers watched the confrontation.
Central Police Station OCPD Patrick Gogo confirmed the arrest, saying Omondi had been detained over an alleged failure to notify authorities before convening a public gathering.
According to the police explanation reported by Citizen Digital, the issue related to the requirement to notify authorities before holding such a gathering in the CBD. Omondi remained in custody pending processing and possible arraignment.
The arrest came just as Omondi had announced plans to keep his signature-collection campaign running at the Archives through Friday as he pursued the one-million-signature target.
