Friday, October 25, 2024 – Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and his Kikuyu
counterpart Kimani Ichung’wah have shared their views on the Constitution of Kenya
(Amendment) Bill 2024, introduced by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.
In an update yesterday, Amisi, who is a close
ally of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, said it is absurd for an elected leader
to come up with such a proposal, adding that extending the presidential term
limit won’t help solve problems bedeviling this country.
“It is absurd for an elected leader to
even imagine that the problems bedeviling this country can only be cured
through prolonged terms in office.”
“We need a team of young, progressive leaders
to change this country. Most leaders have grown complacent and much
entitled,” the MP said.
On the other hand, Ichung’wah, a close ally of
President William Ruto, dismissed the proposal, terming it “dead on arrival.”
“That Cherargei legislative proposal on
term limits is dead on arrival, period. He should save his own time, that of
other Senators and taxpayers money,” the MP wrote on X on Wednesday,
October 23.
This comes three weeks after the ruling party,
United Democratic Alliance (UDA), also condemned the proposed bill to extend
the presidential term limit from five to seven years.
In a statement on October 3, 2024, UDA
Secretary General Hassan Omar argued that the Bill undermines Kenya’s
democratic principles and the people’s right to hold leaders accountable.
The bill, which also seeks to extend terms for
governors and MPs, has been criticized for lacking historical reflection on the
necessity of term limits.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
