President William Ruto might end up leading the country longer than expected if a new published Bill which seeks to extend the term of the Head of State and other elected leaders from five to seven years, sails through. The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, is now set for introduction in the Senate for first reading.
Notably, the proposed law increases the term of service for the President, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and governors to seven years.
“The Bill proposes to amend Article 136 of the Constitution, which provides for election of the President, to increase the term of President from five years to seven years,” the Bill states.
Further, the Bill amends Articles 101, 177 and 180 of the Constitution to extend the terms of MPs, senators, MCAs and governors by two from the current five.
Cherargei Triggers Talks for Introducing 7-Year Term for the President
Senator Cherargei had in 2023 triggered talks after he fronted a constitutional amendment to extend the presidential term limit.
Since the swearing in of President Ruto in September 2022, there have been 3 proposals to have the President’s term in office extended from the current 5 years.
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Cherargei in 2023 claimed that the five-year term is too short for any President to carry efficiently deliver on his mandate.
“The reason why the country is always in campaign mood is because, one year is used in the campaigns while another year is used in settling in with cabinet appointments etc. There for a president has just about 3 years to work which is not enough,” Cherargei said.
However, the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party through the ousted former Secretary General Cleophas Malala distanced itself from the matter which received strong criticism from opposition legislators.
Currently, the Constitution limits the term of the President to a maximum of two terms of five years.
Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024
If the proposal of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is adopted, it would mean that a President will serve for the first seven years, and still go back to the electorate to ask for a second term of seven years, giving a lucky president 14 years in power.
Also Read: National Assembly Rejects Ndengu Bill 2022 Passed by Senate
Meanwhile, the Bill is proposing the creation of the office of the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the president from amongst the MPs.
“The Bill seeks to amend Article 151 by inserting article 15 1A which proposes to create the office of the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the president from amongst the members of Parliament.
If the proposal sails through, the Prime Minister shall be the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament.
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