Comedian and activistEric Omondi has said his movement is aiming to collect one million signatures to support a proposed referendum that would reduce Kenya’s 47 counties to eight and significantly restructure the country’s governance system.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s JKLive, Omondi outlined a series of reforms that he said his movement would pursue if it formed the next government. He later shared the message on his Instagram account, urging Kenyans to support the campaign under the slogan “Punguza Mzigo.”
According to Omondi, the movement has so far collected 430,000 signatures and is working towards a target of one million signatures ahead of the proposed referendum during the 2027 General Election.
“We are going to reduce counties from 47 to 8. Kenyans are extremely over-represented and over-burdened.” — Eric Omondi
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Plan proposes eight governors and fewer elected leaders
Omondi argued that Kenya’s current governance structure has become too expensive and has placed a heavy burden on taxpayers.
He said that under the proposed arrangement, the country would be divided into eight larger regional units, with each region being headed by one governor.
“Each of the counties will have one governor.”
The activist also proposed the abolition of several elective and nominated positions, saying they contribute to what he termed an oversized government structure.
According to Omondi, the reforms would do away with the positions of Women Representatives, Senators and nominated Members of Parliament, as well as nominated Senators.
“Women Representatives gone, Senators gone, nominated MPs and Senators gone.”
He maintained that the changes would reduce government expenditure and free up resources for other sectors.
Savings earmarked for free education
Omondisaid the savings generated from the proposed reforms would be redirected towards education, with the aim of providing free education from primary school to university level.
“We have collected 430,000 signatures so far; we need one million. We will hold a referendum during the 2027 elections and use that money for free education from primary to university level.”
Constitutional changes would require a referendum
The campaign is part of a broader governance reform agenda thatOmondi has championed in recent years. He has repeatedly argued that Kenya requires a leaner government with fewer elected officials and lower administrative costs.
Under Kenya’s current constitutional framework, the country has 47 counties, a Senate, the National Assembly and several categories of nominated representatives. Any proposal to alter these structures would require constitutional amendments through procedures set out in the Constitution, including a referendum where necessary.
For now, Omondi says the focus remains on collecting the remaining signatures needed to reach the one-million target and build support for the proposed reforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
