The presidential term limits will be extended from five to seven years if a new bill introduced before the Senate is passed into law.
Highlights
- New Bill proposing an extension of presidential term from 5 years to 7
- Inside the newly Proposed Bill
- Current Presidential term
The 2024 Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill, tabled by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, will also apply to other elected officials, such as governors, Members of Parliament, and Governors.
“The Bill proposes to amend Article 136 to amend the term of President from five years to seven years,” the Bill reads in part.
The senator also proposed the creation of the prime minister’s office that will be appointed by the president.
The caveat is that the Prime Minister must come from amongst the MPs, representing the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament.
“The Bill seeks to amend Article 151 by inserting 151A, which proposes to create the office of the Prime Minister, who shall be appointed by the president from amongst the members of Parliament. The Prime Minister shall be the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament,” the bill reads in part.
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State of Emergency
Furthermore, the bill aims to modify Article 58 such that extending a state of emergency would need the consent of both the Senate and the National Assembly. Additionally, it reverses the former system in which the National Assembly had exclusive control over the deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces around the nation by requiring approval from both Houses of Parliament.
The proposed legislation also specifies that any House of Parliament may begin any legislation, with the exception of money measures, which must begin in the National Assembly. It also attempts to modify Article 181, which deals with county governors’ or deputy governors’ removal procedures.
This proposal states that the Supreme Court will be the only forum for addressing any challenge to a governor’s impeachment by the Senate. Which is mandated to resolve the case within 30 days.
Current Presidential term
According to the Kenyan Constitution, The President shall hold office for a term beginning on the date on which the President was sworn in, and ending when the person next elected President in accordance with Article 136 (2) (a) is sworn in.
The President-elect assumes office by taking and subscribing the oath or affirmation of allegiance, and the oath or affirmation for the execution of the functions of office, as prescribed in the Third Schedule.
The president shall also not serve for more than two terms in office. In Kenya the current Presidential terms is 10 years, 5 years for the first term and another 5 for the next term if the current president is re elected by the people.