President Ruto Opposes Bill to Extend Term Limits for Kenyan Leaders

: Kenya’s President William Ruto strongly opposes Senator Cherargei’s proposal to extend term limits for elected officials, advocating for the protection of democracy.

  By Charles Wachira

Kenya’s political landscape has been rocked by President William Ruto’s decisive opposition to a controversial proposal put forth by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to extend term limits for elected officials. 

The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2024, introduced in early October, seeks to extend the terms of the president, governors, and members of parliament from five to seven years, while also proposing the creation of a Prime Minister’s office.

Ruto, however, has been resolute in his stance, stating, “We must uphold the spirit of the Constitution. Altering term limits is unnecessary and risks destabilizing our democratic principles.”

 His rejection of the bill aligns with his previous public commitments to protect the integrity of the Constitution and Kenya’s democratic traditions. 

The president urged lawmakers not to support any moves aimed at changing these limits for personal or political benefit.

Nandi Senator Cherargei’s bill proposes amendments to Article 151, which would not only extend presidential and gubernatorial terms but also introduce a new section to establish the office of the Prime Minister, appointed by the president from the largest party or coalition in parliament. 

The senator publicly declared his intention in late September 2024, sparking heated public and political debates.

Commentators and critics have voiced strong opposition to the proposal, with Hassan Omar, Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), describing it as “retrogressive” and “self-serving.” He added that the bill threatens the democratic gains Kenya has made, stating, “This cynical, profoundly misguided bill contravenes the long-held aspirations of the Kenyan people to retire undemocratic entrenchment of unaccountable political monopolies.”

Political analyst Herman Manyora expressed concern, warning, “This bill opens a dangerous precedent that could undermine democracy and accountability.” Economist David Ndii further criticized it, stating, “Such amendments would set the stage for entrenched political power, turning Kenya into an authoritarian state.”

Despite this opposition, the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights has invited public input on the bill until October 25, 2024, after which a decision will be made on whether it will advance. If passed, the bill would not only extend presidential term limits but also revive a debate on the Prime Minister position—a proposal that resurfaced during Kenya’s recent National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) discussions.

As political tension mounts, it remains to be seen whether the Senate will heed public outcry and political pressure from the executive and UDA leadership or move forward with the proposed amendments. The ongoing debate underscores the fragility of Kenya’s political system and the enduring battle between democratic ideals and political maneuvering.