Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has introduced a bill that aims to extend the presidential term from five years to seven years.
This proposal is part of a larger amendment to the Constitution that would also increase the terms for governors, Members of Parliament (MPs), senators, and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
Currently, Kenyan law allows elected leaders to serve five-year terms before they can run for re-election. The President and governors can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
However, there are no term limits for MPs and MCAs. Cherargei's bill seeks to amend Article 136 of the Constitution to extend the presidential term and similarly adjust Articles 101, 177, and 180 to increase the terms for other elected officials.
When introducing the bill, Cherargei explained that the changes are necessary to improve governance and stability in the country.
He believes that longer terms could lead to better planning and implementation of policies. However, this proposal has sparked a heated debate among Kenyans.
Some people support the idea, claiming it will allow elected leaders more time to achieve their goals. Others, however, fear that extending term limits could lead to abuse of power and undermine democracy.
This proposal comes in the wake of a controversial suggestion made by Fafi MP Salah Yakub in November 2022.
He proposed removing presidential term limits entirely and instead suggested an age limit of 75 years for presidential candidates.
This idea was met with significant backlash, as many Kenyans viewed it as an attempt to allow older leaders to stay in power longer. The public outcry over Yakub's proposal may influence how people view Cherargei's bill.
In addition to extending presidential terms, Cherargei's bill proposes creating a Prime Minister's position. The Prime Minister would be appointed by the President from among the MPs and would come from the largest party or coalition in Parliament.
This idea echoes earlier discussions from the National Dialogue Committee and the Building Bridges Initiative, which aimed to create a more inclusive and representative government structure.
The bill also seeks to empower the Senate by granting it exclusive rights to vet certain state officials and approve appointments for high-level positions, such as Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General. This change could strengthen the Senate's role in governance and increase accountability among government officials.
Moreover, the proposed amendment aims to simplify the process for removing county governors and their deputies.
It suggests limiting challenges to impeachment decisions to the Supreme Court, which could make it more difficult for governors to be removed from office without substantial evidence.
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