Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) Didmus Barasa has reignited the idea of the ruling Kenya Kwanza regime staying in power indefinitely.
Speaking on K24 TV on Monday morning April 15, 2024, Barasa stated that the Kenya Kwanza regime should rule for half a century.
“The only thing that we would want for continuity is that we would want the Kenya Kwanza government to rule at least for the next 50 years similar to ANC of South Africa and Chama Cha Mapinduzi in Tanzania,” the Kimilili MP said.
Unlike some of his Kenya Kwanza peers who suggested altering the presidential term limit to ensure the ruling party remains in power indefinitely, Barasa said the ruling coalition should preserve the constitutional order.
The Kimilili MP explained that Kenya Kwanza could rule beyond President William Ruto’s two-term limit by continuing with the progress that the Head of State would have made when he retires.
“We can achieve that purpose by not necessarily removing the term limit but ensuring that the presidents who would come after his Excellency William Samoie Ruto has completed his 10 years constitutional limit then whoever would come would continue, would pick it up from the progress that William Ruto would have made from that time,” Barasa elaborated.
Term limit fiasco
UDA Senator for Nandi County Samson Cherargei last year sparked a storm when he suggested the extension of the presidential two-term limit.
Cherargei proposed an increment of the presidential term to seven years from the current five years.
In a memorandum submitted to the National Dialogue Committee on September 22, 2023, the lawmaker argued that the current law that restricts the presidential term limit to two five-year terms should be amended to push the number of years one can serve to seven years in each term.
This, Senator Cherargei claimed, would give the President sufficient time to implement his manifesto.
“Whereas the current constitution provides for two two-term presidential term limit comprising of 10 years there is a need to increase the same to two terms of seven years each. This enables the president to have a good opportunity to form and establish a formidable team to deliver his manifesto,” Cherargei argued.
The proposal quickly sparked a public outcry forcing the UDA party to distance itself from the suggestion by the Nandi Senator.
In a statement on September 25, 2023, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malalah said the party was guided by the Constitution and the current election cycle.
Tycoon’s comment
Recently, businessman Narendra Raval raised a furore after suggesting that President William Ruto should rule for at least 25 years.
The business mogul made the remarks on April 8, 2024, when he accompanied Ruto who commissioned the Cemtech Limited clinker plant in West Pokot, owned by Devki Group.
Naval claimed that the country would change for the better if Ruto remains President beyond the 10-year term permitted by the constitution.
“He loves this country so much that I have no worries about saying thank you to him. May God give him 100 years of life. I wish that we have this president for at least 25 years, hii nchi itabadilika,” the businessman said.
Nairobi City lawyer Wahome Thuku hit out at the businessman for suggesting that Ruto should rule for at least 25 years.
