Nairobi, Kenya— Parliament is calling for publication participation on a bill seeking to increase the president’s and all other elected leaders’ term limits from five to seven years. Nandi Senator Samson Cheragei drafted the constitution amendment bill.
The Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights is collecting public views and recommendations on the bill, which has since attracted massive criticism from the Kenyan electorates.
The controversial bill was read for the first time on September 26th, 2024; however, the submission of the memoranda has been given a three-week duration, ending before October 25th.
“The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024 (Senate Bills No. 46 of 2024) was read in the Senate on Thursday, 26th September, 2024, and thereafter stood committed to the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights for Consideration.”
“The committee is required, under Standing Order 145(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, to facilitate public participation on the Bill and to take into account the views and recommendations of the public when the Committee makes its report to the senate,” Senate.
Among other plethora of constitutional amendments, the bill recommends an extension of the term limit of the office of the president from five to seven years.
All other elected leaders, including the governors, MPs, and Members of County Assembly, could have their tenure extended should the amendment get the public nod.
The bill has also recommended the creation of 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 head of the government answerable to the Parliament. However, the President shall have full autonomy over the Office of the Prime Minister, granting him/her the will to dismiss the Prime Minister at any moment.
On other critical issues, the bill recommends for the approval of the deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces in any part of the country by both houses.
The removal from office of various state officers shall require approval by both the National Assembly and the Senate should the Bill sail through.
The committee is therefore set to hold a public hearing, welcoming members of the public on the Bill on Friday, 25th October, 2024, at 9.00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Nairobi.
