NAIROBI, Kenya — July 9, 2026, Kenyan entertainer and activist Erick Omondi has announced a major push to trigger a national referendum aimed at restructuring the country’s governance system, proposing to cut the number of counties from 47 back to 8 and eliminate several elective and appointive positions he describes as “unnecessary.”
Speaking in a public address shared online on Wednesday, Omondi said his campaign has already gathered significant public backing, particularly from young people. According to him, more than 430,000 signatures have been collected from members of Generation Z in support of the proposed constitutional changes. He added that the team now needs an additional 500,000 signatures to meet the threshold required to take the matter to a referendum.
“We are moving to change how this country is run,” Omondi said. “We have over 430,000 signatures from Gen Zs. We need 500,000 more and then we go for a referendum to take counties back to the original 8. We will remove women representatives, senators, nominated members, Cabinet Secretaries and all those other positions that are just costing taxpayers money.”
The core of Omondi’s proposal is a return to Kenya’s pre-2010 administrative structure. Under the current Constitution, Kenya is divided into 47 devolved counties. Before devolution, the country operated under 8 provinces. Omondi argues that reverting to the 8-province model would reduce duplication, cut the wage bill, and make service delivery more efficient.
Beyond restructuring devolution, the activist is calling for the abolition of several positions created or retained under the 2010 Constitution:
- Women Representatives: The 47 county-based seats reserved for women in the National Assembly.
- Senators: The 47 elected senators who represent counties in the Senate.
- Nominated Members: Both nominated MPs and MCAs who sit in Parliament and county assemblies.
- Cabinet Secretaries: The executive positions appointed by the President to head ministries.
- Other “unnecessary seats”: Omondi did not specify all positions, but indicated the goal is to streamline government and reduce political overheads.
He framed the proposal as a cost-cutting and governance reform measure, arguing that Kenya’s current system is bloated and expensive to maintain.
To initiate a constitutional amendment through popular initiative, Kenyan law requires at least 1 million registered voters to sign a petition. Omondi said his team has crossed the 430,000 mark and is targeting 930,000 total signatures to provide a buffer before submitting the documents.
If the required signatures are verified by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the proposal would move to county assemblies for approval. At least 24 of the 47 assemblies would need to pass it. If that succeeds, Parliament would then debate it, and if it fails to secure the necessary two-thirds majority in both Houses, it would proceed to a national referendum.
Omondi said the drive is being powered largely by young Kenyans frustrated with unemployment, high taxation, and what they see as wastage in government. “Gen Zs are saying enough is enough. We don’t want a government that is too big to feed its people,” he stated.
Kenya adopted devolution in 2010 as a way to bring services and resources closer to the people. The 47 counties were created to replace the 8 provinces and several districts, with the aim of promoting equity, local decision-making, and development.
Since then, devolution has delivered mixed results. Supporters point to new hospitals, roads, and bursary programs funded at county level. Critics, however, argue that the system has created parallel bureaucracies, increased corruption, and ballooned the public wage bill.
Calls to reduce the number of counties are not new. Various political leaders and economists have, over the years, suggested merging counties to save money. However, such proposals have often faced resistance from leaders who benefit from the current structure and from citizens who fear losing proximity to government services.
The suggestion to scrap the Senate, Women Rep seats, and nominated positions is also likely to spark debate. Proponents of these offices argue they provide oversight, representation for marginalized groups, and checks on the executive and county governments. Opponents say many of the roles overlap and add to an already large legislature.
Omondi’s announcement has already generated heated discussion online. Many young people expressed support, saying the government is too expensive and that money saved could be redirected to jobs, healthcare, and education. Others questioned the feasibility of dismantling a constitutional structure that has been in place for 16 years.
Political analysts note that any attempt to amend the Constitution on this scale will face significant hurdles. Beyond the signature collection, the proposal would need to navigate county assemblies, Parliament, and possibly a referendum — a process that requires broad political consensus and funding.
There is also the question of representation. Women’s rights groups are likely to oppose the removal of Women Rep seats, which were created to increase female representation in Parliament. Similarly, the Senate plays a key role in oversight of county governments, and its removal would require alternative mechanisms to hold counties accountable.
Article 257 of the Kenyan Constitution provides for amendment through popular initiative. It requires:
1. 1 million signatures from registered voters.
2. Submission to IEBC for verification.
3. Presentation to county assemblies.
4. If approved by a majority of counties, presentation to Parliament.
5. If Parliament does not pass it with the required majority, it goes to a referendum.
Legal experts say that even if the signatures are collected, the substance of the proposal would face constitutional scrutiny. Certain provisions, such as the Bill of Rights and the basic structure of government, are considered entrenched and may be harder to amend.
Erick Omondi, known primarily as a comedian and content creator, has in recent years become a vocal critic of government policy. He has led protests and online campaigns on issues ranging from taxation to youth unemployment. His involvement has helped bring political conversations to younger audiences who might not typically engage with traditional politics.
By framing the campaign around Gen Z support, Omondi is tapping into a demographic that was highly active during the 2024 protests against the Finance Bill. That movement demonstrated the political power of young Kenyans and their demand for accountability.
The campaign team says it will intensify signature collection in universities, towns, and online platforms over the next few weeks. Once the 1 million threshold is reached, the documents will be submitted to IEBC for verification.
For now, the proposal remains at the advocacy stage. Whether it gains enough traction to force a national vote will depend on public support, political will, and the ability to navigate Kenya’s complex amendment process.
Omondi concluded his remarks by urging Kenyans to look beyond party lines and focus on governance efficiency. “This is not about personalities. This is about building a country that works for the people, not for politicians,” he said.
As the signature drive continues, the debate over Kenya’s governance structure is set to intensify. With devolution, representation, and public spending all on the table, the coming months could shape a major conversation about the future of the Kenyan state.
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