President William Ruto’s party has distanced itself from a proposal by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to extend presidential term limits by two years.
Cherargei, in a memorandum to the National Dialogue Committee, had last week proposed an extension of presidential term limits to seven years from the current five years.
Cherargei, a close ally of President William Ruto had told the Kimani Ichungwa and Kalonzo Musyoka-led committee that the five-year term in office is not sufficient for the running of government.
“Increase the presidential term to seven years: Whereas the current Constitution provides for a two-term presidential term limit comprising ten years there is a need to increase the same to two terms of seven years each, ” he said.
However, in a statement, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party maintained that Cherargei’s comments were not of the party nor of the President.
While distancing the Head of State from the proposal to amend the Constitution, UDA party Secretary General Cleophas Malala said Ruto swore to uphold and respect the Constitution.
“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, President William Ruto,
“The President solemnly swore to respect and uphold and defend the constitution which is abundantly clear and categorical on the Presidential term limit,” he said on Monday, September 25.
Malala said the ruling party’s focus is to deliver on promises they made to Kenyans during campaigns.
“The ruling party is presently focused on delivering on its promises to the people of Kenya, mindful that it shall in due course submit its scorecard for the people to evaluate,” he added.
A section of leaders from both the ruling and the opposition have condemned Nandi Senator over his proposal with Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale terming it as “absolutely nonsense”.
