The plan to amend the presidential term limit sentiments by Fafi constituency Member of Parliament Salah Yakub, serving under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket who spoke during a relief food distribution exercise in Garissa county over the weekend have elicited uproar among political factions at the National Assembly.
Azimio faction have rose to shoot down the proposition claiming that it is too early to engage in constitutional reforms such as extending the presidential term limit but rather focus to deliver to Kenyans especially when the country is facing the current state of affairs including drought, hunger, lack of clean water, poverty, poor hospitals, lawlessness, banditry attacks, and have since asked their counterparts to concentrate on service delivery to the general public.
The lawmakers led by minority leader, Ugunja MP Opiyo James Wandai, said that it is too early to test the waters on the move to change the constitution and remove the presidential term limit alluding that ‘the dog has an owner which has to be tamed’.
“Kenyans are hungry, the cost of living is high, and there is drought, we know ourselves as politicians and that is what we do. You send a squirrel to test waters and see if there is maize in the granary; that was what the young man was doing,” observed Suna East MP Junet Mohammed.
Majority whip Sylvanus Osoro who is also under UDA, while in his office at parliament buildings dismissed Salah Yakub’s remarks.
“Yakub is allowed freedom of speech as guaranteed by the constitution. We will not be initiating disciplinary actions unless otherwise. However, we do not share the views as the ruling party. If that is allowed, when will Osoro be the president of the republic of Kenya?” stated Osoro.
According to Yakub, discussions have been underway to presumably abolish term limits, noting that the limit should be based on merit and age rather than length of service which currently stands at 10-years maximum serving period as per the constitution.
“I must express that I was misquoted on the issue. My point is that we should have an accountable president who can be re-elected without term limits until the President hits the age of 75 years’ old,” claimed Yakub.
The lawmaker revealed that some UDA legislators are working on a constitutional amendment bill that would replace the two-term limit with a 75-year age limit.
Article 142 of the Constitution on the term of Office of the President, states that a person shall not hold office as a President for more than two terms, which is a period of ten years.
