Kiambu senator Karung’o Thang’wa yesterday became the latest lawmaker to oppose the bill seeking to extend the terms of the President and all elected leaders from five to seven years, just a day before the window granted to Kenyans to submit their views lapses.

Thang’wa, al ally of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, questioned the timing of the bill saying it is intended to have leaders who Kenyans are nor happy with to continue staying in office.

While disclosing that he had written to the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHRC) opposing the seven-year term, he questioned the intentions of the mover of the bill Nandi senator Samson Cherarkey, whom he claimed voted in support of Gachagua’s impeachment despite being in office for only two years.

He said: “If the leaders could not tolerate one of their own to complete their term how can Kenyans tolerate these leaders for seven good years. The person bringing this one is the same person who voted to impeach DP, what is he telling us. It is open now that Kenyans are no longer trusting the Senate and therefore, we are telling Kenyans to rise and oppose this initiative.”

He added: “As you are aware, the current proposal that is before the Senate seeks to extend the presidential and parliamentary terms from five years to seven years. I firmly believe that this change poses significant risks to our democratic principles.

Thang’wa argued that he is opposed to the seven-year term as it is a threat to democratic accountability, risk to authoritarianism, it is a potential for political tension as well as it is a distraction from critical issues.

While addressing a news conference in his office yesterday, Thang’wa instead said that he will be proposing amendments to reduce the term of the said leaders from the current five years to four years.

He said that his push for a four-year term will enhance accountability as it empowers citizens to hold their leaders accountable more frequently, encourage Political Participation as shorter terms can invigorate public interest in politics, provide new Leadership opportunities, prevent power consolidation as well as strengthen democratic norms.

He said: “Therefore, I am moving an amendment that proposes a four-year term limit for the President, Members of Parliament, Senators, Governors, and Members of County Assemblies. As we move forward with this amendment proposal, I urge my fellow legislators and all Kenyans to reflect on the values we hold dear—accountability, participation, and adaptability in governance. Let us not allow self-serving interests to dictate our democratic future.”