A group of United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA) legislators intend to change the constitution to remove the two-term presidential restriction, according to Fafi MP Salah Yakub.
According to the Daily Nation, some UDA MPs are already drafting a constitutional amendment bill that would replace the two-term limit with a 75-year age restriction.
According to the plan, the MPs aligned with the party led by President William Ruto want the presidential limit to be based on age rather than length of service.
“We want to tell Kenyans that the limit on two terms should be relooked. We want it to be changed to an age limit where when one gets to 75 years then he or she cannot contest,” Yakub said as quoted by Nation.
Kenyans react
Controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna has come out and strongly opposed an idea.
Terming it a ‘joke’, Miguna claimed those pushing it are desperate to make William Ruto a one term president.
“It’s a cruel joke that can’t pass, won’t pass a referendum…don’t even imagine,” he said.
Fafi MP Salah Yakub, in his proposal, claims the cap should be on age and not period service.
He said some UDA legislators are currently working on a Constitutional amendment bill to replace the two-term limit with an age limit of 75 years.
Ruto who assumed office in October is 55 years meaning if the proposal was to see any light, he is going to rule for 20 more years.
Article 142 of the Constitution on the term of Office of the President states that a person shall not hold office as a President for more than two terms. Two terms mean 10 years.
Yakub revealed the plan during a relief food distribution drive in Garissa over the weekend.
“We want to tell Kenyans that the limit on two terms should be relooked. We want it to be changed to an age limit where when one gets to 75 years, then he or she cannot contest,” he said.
To ensure such a proposal passes the test, a sponsor has to marshal two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament and a simple majority of Kenyans in a referendum.
The debate has also attracted mixed reactions from various quarters.
On his Twitter Dennis Itumbi wrote, “The move is stupid! It does not enjoy the signature and nod of President William Ruto.”
Lawyer Danstan Omari said, “It was clear in their campaigns that they do not want to leave power and now they are putting up structures for eternity. Kenyans will resists vehemently.”
