UDA Abandons Samson Cherargei on Ruto Term Limit
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has distanced itself from the proposal by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to extend presidential term limits.
In a statement dated September 25 and signed by UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, the ruling party noted that the senator’s views did not reflect those of the Head of State.
“The UDA Party respects and upholds the Senator’s personal views but particularly on the referenced subject, those views do not reflect the perspectives of the UDA Party and/or its Party Leader, H.E. the President, William Ruto,” read the statement in part.
“The President solemnly swore to respect, uphold and defend the Constitution which is abundantly clear and categorical on the Presidential term limit.”
Malala added that the party’s concentration was on delivering on its promises with the knowledge that it would eventually submit a scorecard for the people to evaluate.
“Respectfully, therefore, the term limit debate is superfluous and peripheral,” added the statement.
In a memorandum presented to the National Dialogue Committee, Cherargei proposed extending the current presidential term limit of five years to seven years.
Senator argued that the five-year limit was insufficient for the state to operate efficiently and for Ruto’s administration to fulfill its promises.
ALSO READ: Inside Senator Cherargei’s Proposal To Increase Presidential Term Limit To 7 Years
Senator Boni Khalwale of Kakamega, who is also an ally of the ruling regime, argued that the state should manage its affairs within the allotted time frame.
“Extension of the constitutional presidential term limit as proposed by the senator of Nandi County, Cherargei, should be dismissed with the contempt that it deserves,” he tweeted.
The senator is the fourth prominent UDA politician to propose extending the Kenyan Constitution of 2010’s presidential term limit.
Last year, Fafi Member of Parliament (MP) Salah Yakub proposed removing the 10-year limit and replacing it with a 75-year age limit for presidential candidates.
Karen Nyamu, a senator nominee, has also explicitly supported the removal of term limits, despite President William Ruto’s public rejection of the initiative.
Senator John Kinyua of Laikipia advocated in August for the elimination of term limits for both the presidential and gubernatorial positions, arguing that this would enable leaders at these two levels of government to execute their obligations to Kenyans more effectively.
UDA Abandons Samson Cherargei on Ruto Term Limit
