Drop the presidential term limit Bill, Wanga tells Cherargei

By Peter Ochieng

Homabay governor Gladys Wanga has challenged Nandi Senator to drop his ‘absurd Bill’ seeking to extend the term of the President and other elected leaders.

The legislature is behind the Bill seeking to extend the term of elected leaders, right from the President, down to the Member of the County Assembly (MCA) from the current 5 to 7 years.

Wanga, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairperson speaking in Kisumu on Thursday, October 31, 2024 urged the vocal Senator to drop the Bill, and focus on more urgent issues affecting Kenyans.

“This is an acceptable proposal which should not be allowed to see the light of the day, especially bearing in mind that Kenyans are dealing with a myriad of issues, including the cost of living and healthcare.”

“We are looking at very many things that affect the lives of people including food security, yet one Senator Cherargei wakes up and brings an absurd proposal planning to extend the terms of elected leaders. We urge Senator Cherargei to drop this Bill and focus on more pressing matters that affect the common mwananchi,” she added.

This week, addressing fellow Senators on the floor of the Senate, Cherargei claimed that his Bill had attracted 60 percent from Kenyans.

“The Senate has so far received 500, 000 emails reacting to my Bill. As of now, 60 percent of Kenyans are supporting my Bill and 40 per cent are opposing,” he claimed.

He however protested the move by some Kenyans to threaten him, after his mobile phone number was widely shared online.

“I have been a victim of a data breach for the last week, my phone has been called, and I have received insults and praises. As we speak today, my phone has over 12, 000 messages—close to 20,000 WhatsApp messages. I have also received calls and there is a data privacy breach that no one is addressing.”

Cherargei was elected in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). His party has distanced itself from the Bill.