Ruto Reveals Stance on Extending Presidential Term Limit

President William Ruto has strongly criticized a bill proposed by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei that seeks to extend the presidential term limit from the current five years to seven years. The President reposted a statement from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party, distancing the party from the Senator’s controversial plan.

Highlights:

Senator Samson Cherargei proposes extending the presidential term limit to seven years.
UDA condemns the proposal, calling it misguided and undemocratic.
The bill also seeks to extend terms for governors, MPs, and senators and create the Office of the Prime Minister.
President Ruto, through UDA, has called for the cessation of the bill.

UDA’s Strong Rejection

In a statement, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar firmly condemned the proposed amendment, labelling it as a cynical and self-serving attempt that disregards the democratic principles of the Kenyan people. The ruling party emphasised that regular leadership transitions are essential to holding leaders accountable and allowing citizens to exercise their sovereign power.

“It seeks to deny the people regular opportunities to hold leadership to account,” read part of the statement, which President Ruto reshared on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The UDA went on to accuse the bill’s sponsors of failing to reflect on the historical significance of term limits in Kenya’s political system.

Historical Importance of Term Limits

The ruling party further criticized the proposal as a form of “political delinquency,” emphasising that Kenya’s democratic progress has been built on the foundation of constitutional limits that prevent the concentration of power.

“The masterminds and sponsors of the constitutional amendment bill… have not engaged in sufficient reflection about the historical origins, institutional basis, and political necessity of term limits,” the UDA stated. The party also underscored its commitment to upholding Kenya’s long struggle for constitutional change, calling upon Senator Cherargei and others involved to stop advancing the bill immediately.

The controversial Constitutional Amendment

Senator Cherargei’s proposed Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks not only to extend the presidential term limit to seven years but also to lengthen the terms for governors, Members of Parliament, and senators. Moreover, the bill proposes the creation of a prime minister’s office, appointed by the president.

The proposal has sparked widespread criticism, with many seeing it as an attempt to undermine Kenya’s democratic gains.

Not the First Attempt

This is not the first time the bill has been introduced. In September 2023, a similar proposal was shelved after it triggered public outrage. Many Kenyans opposed the idea, viewing it as a step backward in the country’s democratic evolution. Term limits were established to prevent the overconcentration of power and promote accountability. The move to extend them has, therefore, been met with strong resistance from both public and political leaders alike.

As of now, the UDA and President Ruto have made it clear that they stand firmly against any changes to Kenya’s current term limits, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the country’s constitutional principles and democratic values.