County Assembly opposes extension of term limits

Homa Bay,

Thursday, September 28, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

Homa Bay County Assembly is opposed to any proposals to amend the constitution to extend the presidential terms.

The County Assembly Speaker Julias Gaya said that the proposal by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to extend the terms from five to seven years was unacceptable.

Cherargei has raised the idea with the bipartisan talks team at the Bomas.

The senator has already submitted his memorandum to the talks’ team for consideration. Should talks team committee members okay it, the matter will go to Parliament and be brought to County Assemblies for approval before being subjected to a referendum.

The proposal has however caused mixed reactions across the political divide as some are in favor while others have rejected it.

 Gaya rejected Cherargei's proposal saying it would affect other leadership positions including election of governors, senators, Members of Parliament, and County Assemblies.

Gaya described the proposal as unpopular and meant to suit the interests of a few. He said laws should be made for posterity and not for individuals.

“Homa Bay County Assembly will stand with the majority of Kenyans who will reject the unpopular idea. You can't amend the constitution to suit the interests of a few individuals,” Gaya said.

Speaking to journalists in his Homa Bay town office, Gaya said the extension of the presidential term limit must be decided by the people through a referendum.

“It would have been important for Cherargei to prioritize the needs of Kenyans including the cost of living.” He said.

He said Cherargei was being diversionary and could frustrate the talks team from discussing pertinent issues affecting the country.

"Kenya is faced with several challenges including the high cost of fuel that has been orchestrated by heavy taxation." He claimed.

Kasgunga MCA Nurah Odongo and his West Karachuonyo counterpart Samuel Lieta also opposed plans to extend the presidential term limit.

 Odongo argued that Kenya should emulate other countries including the US where despite attaining their independence decades ago, no proposal has been propagated to extend the presidential term limit.

Lieta said Cherargei's proposal was likely to set a precedent where heads of state in the future will keep tinkering with term limits.

“Five-year terms limit with an opportunity for one reelection is enough for one to finish development projects.

 "The 2010 constitution has served us well and there is no reason to amend it now,” Lieta said.

However, Suba North UDA Coordinator Bruce Ogweno supported the proposal saying it would give the president adequate time to implement all their agenda.

He recommended the same extension for the terms of Governors.

“The president and governors are the custodians of resources. They should be given enough time to serve,” Ogweno said.

Courtesy; KNA