Nandi Senator Cherargei Endorses Proposal to Scrap Presidential Term Limit

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has endorsed Fafi MP Salah Yakub’s proposal to remove the two-term presidential limit and replace it with an age limit of 75 years.

Cherargei, a close ally of President Ruto, said he will support a constitutional amendment bill seeking to scrap the two-term presidential limit if it comes to the Senate. 

"UDA is an epitome of democracy & rule of law. Hon. Salah Yakub is within his right to push this amendment let's listen first, I shall support in the Senate," Cherargei said. "This is a conversation that might happen in the future by Kenyans on scrapping off term limit of a President,” he added.

Yakub came under fire on Tuesday after claiming that he and a section of other UDA party MPs are working on an amendment bill to scrap the two-term presidential limit, arguing that it denies performing leaders an opportunity to further develop the country.

“The terms of the presidency should not be limited to two terms, three terms, or even four. If the president is doing a good job he should extend his term," he said.

The UDA MP said the country cannot afford to repeat the same mistake it did in the past when it allowed former President Mwai Kibaki to leave office yet he was a progressive leader.

"He left office without accomplishing all his programs because of the Constitution which allowed him to serve for only two terms," he said.

The UDA party, which is headed by President Ruto, distanced itself from the proposal by MP Yakub, terming it “a product of a fertile imagination by the legislator.”

“Remarks by Fafi MP Salah Yakub that there are plans to extend term limits for the president are a product of a fertile imagination by the legislator. UDA distances itself from the utterances by the MP. The Party has not been part of discussions in regard to term limits. The party is busy implementing The Plan and will not be part of sideshows,” UDA said.