Cherargei: Why I want presidential term limit increased to 7 years
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei defended his proposal seeking to increase the presidential term limit from the current five to seven years.
In a press address to the media, the controversial politician spoke amid backlash from a section of Kenyans on social media as well as his own party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Cherargei claimed Kenya ‘has always lost’ a year after every election cycle, factors he said are contributed to by court petitions, the transition from the old to the new regime, and the settling down of the new administration.
“It is therefore justifiable to increase the presidential term limit to 7 years per term totaling 14 years,” he argued
He acknowledged the proposals he had tabled might lead the country to a referendum from where Kenyans will have a final say.
“To the critics let’s meet in the contest because our constitution envisages amendment at any time so long as the threshold is met.”
In his submission to the ongoing bipartisan talks under the National Dialogue Committee at the Bomas of Kenya, the Senator also proposed the reintroduction of the Prime Minister’s office.
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He also wants the introduction of the Office of the Opposition leader.
However, Cherargei’s proposal to increase the presidential term limits has met opposition from the ruling party as Secretary-General Cleophas Malala the views do not reflect the decision of the political outfit.
“The UDA Party respects and upholds the Senator’s personal views but particularly on the referenced subject, those views do not reflect the perspectives of the UDA Party and/or its Party Leader, H.E. the President, William Ruto. The President solemnly swore to respect, uphold, and defend the Constitution which is abundantly clear and categorical on the Presidential term limit,” Malala said.
Malala said the ruling party is currently focused on delivering on its promises to the people and being mindful that it shall in due course submit its scorecard for the people to evaluate.
“In doing so, we are guided by the timeline to the next general election. This is why, for the past few months, the UDA party has published a timeline portal for all its electoral activities on…respectfully, therefore, the term limit debate is superfluous and peripheral.”