Banking & Finance
Ruto Rejects Term Limit Extension Proposal
“We must uphold the spirit of the Constitution. Altering term limits is unnecessary and risks destabilizing our democratic principles,” says President William Ruto
President Ruto strongly opposes Senator Cherargei’s bill to extend term limits, calling it a threat to Kenya’s democracy.
President Ruto Rejects Bill to Extend Term Limits, Defends Kenya’s Democracy
Kenya’s political scene is in turmoil after President William Ruto firmly rejected a controversial proposal by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei seeking to extend term limits for elected officials and introduce a new Prime Minister’s office.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in October, proposes extending the terms for the president, governors, and MPs from five to seven years. It also seeks to reintroduce the position of Prime Minister, to be appointed by the president from the majority party in parliament.
But President Ruto swiftly and publicly opposed the bill, declaring:
“We must uphold the spirit of the Constitution. Altering term limits is unnecessary and risks destabilizing our democratic principles.”
This statement aligns with his earlier promises to safeguard constitutional integrity and protect Kenya’s democratic institutions.
Senator Cherargei’s bill aims to amend Article 151 of the Constitution by:
- Extending term limits for the president and governors to seven years
- Creating the office of Prime Minister
- Appointing the Prime Minister from the largest party or coalition in Parliament
Read the official call for public input on the bill here.
The proposal has drawn widespread condemnation:
- Hassan Omar, Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), slammed the bill as: “Retrogressive and self-serving… It undermines the democratic gains of the Kenyan people.”
- Herman Manyora, political analyst, warned: “This bill opens a dangerous precedent that could erode accountability.”
- David Ndii, Ruto’s economic advisor, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Such changes would entrench political power and steer Kenya toward authoritarianism.”
Despite the uproar, the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights has invited the public to submit comments on the bill until October 25, 2024.
If the committee approves it, the bill could move to parliamentary debate, reopening long-standing questions about executive power and democratic reforms in Kenya.
The proposed office of Prime Minister also echoes unresolved questions from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) discussions, which floated power-sharing models to ease political tensions.
President Ruto’s stance reinforces his broader anti-authoritarian image. Since assuming office, he has repeatedly pledged to:
- Protect Kenya’s 2010 Constitution
- Oppose political moves that undermine term limits
- Encourage constitutional fidelity over personal gain
“Let us not rewrite the Constitution to serve individuals. Let us protect it to serve the people,” he said earlier this year.
This constitutional debate highlights the fragility of Kenya’s democracy:
- Could pave the way for entrenched executive power
- Risks reviving ethnic and political polarization
- Challenges the independence of parliament
- Tests citizen trust in governance and reform
