A section of religious leaders have weighed in on the proposed extension of the current five-year term limit for elective positions to seven years.
Addressing the press on Friday, October 25, 2024, the group identified as Ufungamano Joint Forum of Religious Organizations strongly rejected the proposal noting that it was an intentional proposal aimed at keeping current leaders in power to serve their selfish interests.
While terming the proposal as illogical and retrogressive, they emphasised that the extension of terms does not in any way add value to the improvement of the governance of the country.
According to the group, those in leadership deliberately fronted the idea to accumulate wealth and consolidate power. The men of the cloth also expressed discontent with the country’s leadership stating that additional years to the current five will only frustrate Kenyans further.
“It is important to state that the proposed amendment bill no 2 of 2024 of the Constitution is self-seeking, and is self-centred. It is aimed at benefitting the ruling class. Increasing the term of the president and the other elected leaders including members of parliament from five to seven years and the creation of the office of the prime minister, does not add any value to the improvement of the governance of the country.
“The proposed amendment can only be described as illogical and retrogressive. It is not about Kenya and the people, it is about the rulers clinging to power for their own interests. It is about the consolidation of power and accumulation of their wealth. Already, it is about two years since this 13th parliament came into office, and in two years, we are already very tired, so seven years will break our backs,” the clergy said.
Additionally, the clergy told off the country’s leadership over their failure to fulfil their campaign promises to Kenyans. They also proposed the amendment of a bill that would see citizens independently electing their own deputy president.
This idea, according to them, would help shape good governance in the country.
“If we have elected this people who in only two years are making us suffer, what if we give them seven years? These are people who talk about 100 things and don’t implement any of them. We call on MPs and members of the senate to propose a bill that states that a deputy president should also be elected by Kenyans, so that we go to an election, elect president independently and deputy president independently so that that is the person we are going to deal with not an individual.”
Cherargei’s bill
The bill sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei seeks to make a number of reforms including the establishment of the office of the Prime Minister who will be appointed by the President from among members of the party or coalition of majority parties in Parliament.
“The bill proposes to amend Article 136 of the Constitution, which provides for the election of the President, to increase the term of office of the President from five years to seven years,” the bill states.
The proposal has since sparked debate across various social media platforms with the majority of Kenyans being against it.
