Presidential Term Limit Increased to 7 Years

The National Dialogue Committee has concluded receiving public memoranda with Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei proposing the increase of the presidential term from the current five to seven years.

The Nandi Senator has presented a memorandum to the talk’s team seeking to have the Constitution amended to have a president in office for seven years before the next election. 

The committee chaired by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka will begin interrogating the submissions before making their recommendations. 

According to President William Ruto’s ally, five years in office is not sufficient for the running of government and forming a formidable team to implement the election manifesto. 

If Cherargei’s proposal is actualised it then means that if one is elected president he or she would be in office for 7 years with the possibility of extension by another 7-year term.

Chapter nine of the Constitution under Article 142 says: “The President shall hold office for a term beginning on the date on which the President was sworn in and ending when the person next elected President in accordance with Article 136 (2) (a) is sworn in.”

The constitution only stipulates a five-year term with the possibility of another five-year term, thus, altering the structure of the constitution will require a referendum.

Cherargei further wants the talks team to establish the Office of the Prime Minister who will sit in parliament and be the official spokesman of government in the house.

Other teams that appeared before the dialogue team include the IEBC that on its part proposed to have the presidential elections conducted separately from other elective positions.

“We are proposing that since the presidential election is the only contested we have it conducted on its separate day,” IEBC CEO Marjan Marjan said.

Ichung’wa asked in response asked: “Did your commission file any complaint on the events of 15th August at the Bomas of Kenya?

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) on its part wants the president to order a general wage increase. 

This would compel all employers to increase salaries for their employees to help them absorb the shocks of the current economic stress.

On the two-thirds gender rule, women from KEWOPA want the law changed to have the gubernatorial candidates select a member of the opposite gender as a running mate.

“If a governor is male the deputy should be female,” Nandi Woman Rep Cynthia Muge stated.

The sittings resume next week.