Why Eric Omondi is collecting signatures to have a referendum

Eric Omondi, a popular Kenyan comedian and activist, has started collecting signatures to have a referendum.

The former Churchill Show comic is advocating for the abolition of several counties, as well as the elimination of senator positions, women representative roles, nominated MPs, and nominated MCAs.

According to him, Kenya is overrepresented, and there is a need to minimize the number of persons in senior positions.

“Kenya is overrepresented. Mtu mmoja ako na president, deputy president, governor, deputy governor, MP, senator, woman representative, MCA, ako na regional commissioner, county commissioner, assistant county commissioner, chief, subchief, na village elder. A single Kenyan is represented by 16 people doing the same thing,” Eric said.

“We are going around the country collecting signatures. All we need is a million signatures. That should take us less than two weeks.”

Omondi delivered the claims at a press conference held on August 20, 2024, at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi.

The comedian compared Kenya to the United States, noting that the Western country with a larger population has fewer government officers than Kenya.

“Taxpayers are carrying the burden of paying for offices that are overlapping. Tuko na waziri wa michezo katika serikali ya kitaifa, tuko na waziri wa michezo katika serikali ya kaunti. Tuko na waziri wa mazingira huko juu, tuko na waziri wa mazingira huku chini. Kwani mazingira ni ngapi?” he questioned.

He added that the taxpayer is overwhelmed, noting that devolution was supposed to devolve services, but this has not been the case.