‘We should not entertain’ – Governor Barasa trashes Cherargei’s proposal to extend term limit

Hours after the deadline for submitting views on the proposed Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No 2) Bill, 2024 lapsed, various leaders have continued to raise myriad opinions regarding the proposal.

The latest political leader to add his voice to the debate is Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa. Speaking on Saturday, October 26, 2024, the first-term Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) governor expressed opposition to the bill.

The bill sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei seeks to increase the term limits for the president, governors, members of parliament, and members of county assemblies from the current five to seven years.

Barasa who has been popularising ODM in Kakamega, rallied upon other leaders to turn down the proposal. He noted that leaders should at any point entertain the idea of seeking to extend their tenures.

Defending his opinion, Barasa indicated that all elected leaders should strive to serve the people within the current term limits and then seek re-election based on their performance.

Barasa described the idea of increasing term limits as retrogressive which aims at watering down the progress of the country’s democracy.

“As leaders, we must respect the constitution of Kenya which gives power for five years and if you work well then you are re-elected for another five-year term,” Barasa insisted.

“We should not entertain the idea of saying people should serve for seven years. That is unconstitutional and I know Senator Cherargei was just tasting waters.”

The idea has been widely opposed by both leaders from the ruling party and those from the opposition. The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) issued a press statement distancing the party from the bill.

President William Ruto on his side also opposed the push to increase the term limit from five to seven years.

I stand with my fellow leaders in rejecting Senator @scherargei's proposal to extend term limits for elected leaders from 5 years to 7 years. This move is a step backwards. pic.twitter.com/RR1A9BPcl1

— FCPA Fernandes Barasa, OGW (@BarasaFernandes) October 26, 2024

Public opinion

Despite widespread dissent, the Bill was subjected to public participation which closed on Friday, October 25, 2024, with Kenyans urged to make their submissions either through hand-delivery at the Office of the Clerk of the Senate, or by email.

On the final day, the Senate made it public that it had received over 200,000 submissions, reaching the maximum capacity of the allocated email addresses.

The Senate appealed to Kenyans to alternatively use senatejlahrc@parliament.go.ke to make their submissions.

“Thank you for the overwhelming response to The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No 2) Bill,2024. Due to high volumes of submissions, our email system has temporarily experienced issues,” the Senate said in a statement.

Currently, the elected leaders serve for five-year terms before seeking re-election. The president and governors are restricted to two consecutive terms, while members of parliament and MCAs have no term limits.

Cherargei’s bill also proposes the office of the prime minister who will be appointed by the president.

“The Bill seeks to amend Article 151 by inserting 151A which proposes to create the office of the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the president from amongst the members of Parliament. The Prime Minister shall be the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament,” the bill reads in part.