President William Ruto has firmly rejected a proposal by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to extend the term limits for elected officials. Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to upholding and protecting both the letter and spirit of the Constitution. In a statement, the President stressed the importance of maintaining constitutional integrity and democratic values, urging lawmakers to resist any attempts to alter term limits for personal or political interests.
The Bill introduced by Cherargei seeks to extend the presidential term to seven years, with similar provisions applying to governors and Members of Parliament. The proposed amendment targets Article 136 of the Constitution, which currently mandates a five-year term for elected leaders before seeking re-election.
Additionally, the Bill proposes the establishment of a Prime Minister’s office, appointed by the President from among Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister, according to the Bill, would be the leader of the largest party or coalition in Parliament. The amendment suggests inserting Article 151(a) to create this new office.
The Bill also proposes changes to Article 181, which outlines the procedure for removing a governor or deputy governor from office. Under the amendment, any such removal would only be challengeable at the Supreme Court.
Ruto’s opposition to the Bill comes shortly after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) distanced itself from the proposal. The President shared a statement by UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, who described the Bill as misguided and self-serving. Omar added that the Bill contradicts Kenyans’ long-standing desire for regular opportunities to hold their leaders accountable and to exercise their sovereign power directly.
According to him, the Bill does not seek to pursue any meaningful objectives beyond illegitimate, myopic and retrogressive ends.
“The party therefore dissociates itself from the repugnant and backward bill and calls any of its rank and file who leads, supports or is, in any manner whatsoever, involved with it, to order: The bill is incompatible with our policy and aspirations. This juvenile political experimentation and delinquent affront to our constitutional values must now be crushed to a halt!” Omar said.
