A UDA lawmaker has revealed plans to seek the scrapping of the presidential term limit, noting that the cap should be on age, not period of service.
While granular details of the talks remain scanty, Fafi Member of Parliament Salah Yakub, spilled the beans, of the looming push for constitutional review.
We want to tell Kenyans that the limit on two terms should be relooked. We want it to be changed to an age limit where one gets to 75 years then he or she cannot contest
Fafi MP Salah Yakubu
Mr Yakub, who said there have been closed-door discussions on the proposal, however refused to divulge the names of the MPs behind the new development or whether it has the blessing of the UDA party top brass.
Should the plan materialize, Ruto could rule the country for 20 years, and handover power in 2042 when he will be 75. However, Kenya’s 5th President has made no mention of clinging to power beyond the constitutional limit.
Yakub added that the constitutional change Bill was still far from maturity as it was yet to be drafted and sent to Parliament.
Following the abolition of section 2A of the previous constitution, the two-term restriction was effected prior to the 1992 elections. The presidential term limit was retained under the 2010 Constitution.
With barely three months after a fiercely contested presidential election, Kenyans are questioning the motive of such a plot, and wondering if constitutional amendment to extend the rule of a sitting president is a priority.
