Senator Cherargei proposes 7-year presidential terms.
Senator Samson Cherargei of Nandi has proposed increasing the presidential term from five to seven years.
In a memorandum filed to the National Dialogue Committee on Friday, September 22, the congressman requests that the current law, which limits the presidential term limit to two five-year terms, be altered to increase the number of years one can serve in each term to seven.
Senator Cherargei contends that doing so would give the president enough time to carry out their manifesto.
“Whereas the current constitution provides for a two-term presidential term limit of ten years, this should be increased to two terms of seven years each.” This provides the president with a fantastic opportunity to develop and establish a powerful team to deliver his platform,” according to a portion of the paper seen by People Daily Digital.
According to the senator, the increase would also assist the country address its recurring election issues.
“The Kenya presidential election is always high-profiled because it is held in such a short period of time, making it a Do or Die adventure,” Cherargei explains.
Cherargei also wants the posts of formal leader of the opposition and prime minister reinstated, as well as constitutional support for constituency and ward development funding.
“Unlike in the past, the majority party leader serves as the link between the executive and the legislature under the current legislative framework.” Holding the government accountable under such a legislative structure may be pointless due to the political circumstances in which such an attempt may find itself,” Cherargei contends.
“The Prime Minister, as is customary in the United Kingdom’s Parliament, represents the government and is always present in parliament, and thus can explain the government’s direction on any matter upon such request by members of parliament from all political parties.”
Early this month, the National debate Committee invited members of the public to provide feedback on the agenda of the continuing debate between the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party.
The committee had received 142 memoranda from stakeholders as of September 11.
The committee, co-chaired by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (Azimio) and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah (Kenya Kwanza), was formed to end the standoff between the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition, which saw the latter call for street protests to protest rising living costs and alleged electoral injustices.
The committee’s primary agenda items include two-thirds gender rule, the cost of living, fidelity to political parties and coalitions, enshrining political party funds in the constitution, and the establishment of the office of official leader of the opposition and prime cabinet secretary.
