President William Ruto has distanced himself from a Bill seeking to extend Presidential and elected leaders terms from 5 years to 7 years.
In a memo through the ruling United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA), the Kenya Kwanza leadership has denied allegations of being behind the Punitive bill, sponsored by one of their own.
" The United Democratic alliance has learnt with great concern and disappointment that one of the party's elected leader's has tabled a Constitutional of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2024 which seeks to alter the constitutional term limits set for holders of Elective Offices by Extending them" reads the memo in Part.
The ruling Party has gone ahead to call out the Sponsors of the Punitive bill, alleging they're pre-occupied with distrations and legislative mischief, denying Kenyans their democratic right inconsiderate of what it took for the new Constitution to be put in place.
The head of state has emphasized he remembers the long struggle of Kenya's Constitutional Changes and historical importance and will in no way attempt to alter that.
The Senate had earlier today invited public views on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to extend the terms of Members of Parliament and the President from 5 to 7 years.
Following this, the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights will hold a public hearing on the Bill on October 25 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chambers.
“The memoranda be hand-delivered to the Clerk of the Senate or emailed to clerk.senate@parliament.go.ke before 5 pm on the deadline date,” read the notice.
The Bill sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei will give Presidents a seven-year term if it amends Article 136 of the Constitution.
Similarly, the proposal will apply to other elected officials such as Governors and Members of Parliament.
Currently, the elected leaders serve five-year terms before seeking re-election.
The President and Governors are restricted to two consecutive terms, while Members of Parliament and MCA have no term limits.
The Bill also proposes the creation of the office of the Prime Minister that will be appointed by the president similar to the proposal made in the National Dialogue Committee and the Building Bridges Initiative reports.
“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.
The Bill also proposes to involve the Senate in approving the deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces in any part of the country. Currently, the law states that the executive must seek the approval of the National Assembly.
