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Monday, September 25, 2023 –President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance UDA Party has rubbished proposals by a section of party members to extend President’s term in office.
Today Monday September 25, the ruling party, through an official statement signed by Secretary General Cleophas Malala, indicted proponents that such plans are not part of their official position as a party that respects democracy and the rule of law
In the one-page statement shared by UDA Party leadership, Whatever politicians were proposing in rallies and on social avenues was not a reflection of the party’s or president’s views.
“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,” partly read the statement seen by Homenews.Co.ke on Monday noon.
Malala, in the statement, noted that as of now, the head of State was not interested in campaigning but to deliver to the electorates as per the party’s manifesto.
“Respectfully, therefore, the term limit debate is superfluous and peripheral,” said the statement.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei had wrote to the Bipartisan Committee proposing that the current presidential term of five years was not sufficient to bring any economic and development change. He, instead, proposed that the five-year term move upwards to seven years, renewable.
Cherargei is not the only one, Fafi Member of Parliament MP Salah Yakub last year proposed the removal of the 10-year limit and instead said the age limit for contesting for the presidency capped at 75 years.
Additionally, Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, also from UDA Party, joined the debate and supported the proposal which the head of State, shortly, rejected.
On Wednesday November 16, Ruto said adding president’s term limit was neither here nor there and urged those with that mind to desist from the debate which he described as trivial and uncalled for.
Addressing a Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group from the Statehouse, Dr Ruto said, as head of State, he won’t entertain efforts to ‘mutilate the Constitution for selfish personal interests’.
“You were elected to serve the people; their issues must come first,” he said.
“As President, I won’t participate in efforts aimed at mutilating the Constitution for parochial, selfish and personal interests,” he added.
Some political pundits, however, opine that the ruling regime is testing waters and whatever they are up to will show in public during their last days in office.
Analysts say, with Parliamentary numbers, it becomes much easier for the head of State to do anything if he wanted.
