Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has been dealt a major blow in his push to increase the Presidential term limit to seven years.
This is after the Senate was advised against passing the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2024 that he had sponsored and brought before the Senate.
The Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs & Human Rights Committee in its report recommended the Senate to not pass the aforementioned Bill . “Arising from its observations in the preceding Chapter, the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights recommends that the Senate does not pass the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2024 (Senate Bills No. 46 of 2024),” a statement released by the Committee read in part.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill fronted by the senator seeks to extend the terms in office for the president, county governors, Members of Parliament, and those of county assemblies from five to seven years, among other constitutional amendments.
The contentious Bill has drawn widespread reaction from Kenyans and politicians across the political divide with a majority opposing it. Senator Cherargei recently stated that Kenyans are in support of the Bill.
“The Senate has received close to 500,000 emails reacting to my Bill. 60 per cent of Kenyans support it and 40 per cent oppose it,” Cherargei stated during the latest Senate session.
The Senator further added that he had received 12,000 texts and 20,000 WhatsApp messages as well as thousands of phone calls in the last week as Kenyans praised his move while others abused him.
Various top government officials and political formations also voiced their resistance against the Bill. Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale and Wycliffe Oparanya have rubbished the Senator’s proposal. CS Duale reiterated that the Bill will not even pass the first stage in the Senate.
“It will not even see the light of the day in the first reading in the Senate. It’s like driving on Thika Super Highway with brakes faulty. That is not something that should worry Kenyans. That requires a referendum,” he stated.
CS Oparanya joined Kenyans in rejecting the Bill saying extending a public officer’s term in office adds no value. "I'm seeing leaders coming up with agendas which will not help Kenyans," he asserted, adding, "Leaders are coming up with issues which have no value. When you say MPs, MCAs, and the President should serve a seven-year term, how will that help? We must uphold the constitution of Kenya which dictates a five-year term," he observed.
While recommending for the Senate to reject the Bill, the Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee also recommended for the Senate to review the procedure for consideration of a legislative proposal to amend the Constitution.
“The Committee further recommends that the Procedure and Rules Committee of the Senate reviews the procedure for consideration of a legislative proposal to amend the Constitution,” the statement mentioned.
In addition, the Committee also introduced amendments to the Senate Standing Orders. “The Committee introduces amendments to the Senate Standing Orders requiring that such a proposal be accompanied by the signatures of at least fifteen other Senators in support, unless it is sponsored by the Majority Party or the Minority Party and providing a framework for debate and collation of the views of Members on the legislative proposal prior to its approval for publication,” the statement concluded.
