Extending Presidential Term limit is not a priority to Kenyans, lawyer says

 

Former President of the East African Law Society Lawyer James Aggrey Mwamu at his office in Kisumu today where he has advised the UDA Leaders to drop the debate on the need to extend the Presidential term limit from five to seven years-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

By Dickson Odhiambo

 

September 28, 2023

 

Extending Presidential Term limit is not a priority to Kenyans, lawyer says 

 

The ongoing debate on extending the Presidential Term Limit is not a priority to Kenyans, a Lawyer has said.

 

Former President of the East African Law Society Lawyer James Aggrey Mwamu says the ongoing debate where a section of UDA leaders have advocated for the extension of Presidential term limit from the current five years to seven years has never been a priority to Kenyans hence such a debate should stop forthwith.

 

Mwamu says Kenyans have other matters which should be of the priority like high cost of living which should be lowered other than engaging them on the need to extend the Presidential term limit.

 

Addressing Press at his Kisumu office today, Mwamu said Kenyans did not want the issue of abusing power by those in the Presidency hence capped the Presidential limit of two terms  five years each under the current constitution, adding that this is enough time limit for one who is the President to deliver the elections pledges to the people of Kenyans.

 

Mwamu says the current Parliament cant amend Article 142 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 as read with Article 136 {2}{a}.

 

Mwamu says amending such an article will require a national referendum where Kenyans will participate in the changing of the constitution, adding that this is full restructuring of the Executive arm of the Government.

 

Article 142 {1} of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 states that  the President shall hold office for a term beginning on the date in which the President was sworn in, and ending when the person next elected the President in accordance with Article 132{2} {a} is sworn in.

 

Mwamu has advised the UDA leaders led by the Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei to stop the debate and concentrate on addressing issues that affect the lives of Kenyans.

 

“In Kenya, the Presidential term limit is five years for one term and another five year for the second term totaling to 10 years. There is no need to the extension of such term limits to seven years for one term,” Mwamu says

 

Mwamu says such an idea of amending the Presidential term limit should never be entertained at all.

 

“The Kenyan people gave the President a mandate to govern for five years and he should do what he can do to Kenyans within that period without wanting to extend the Presidential term limit to seven years for a term,” Mwamu adds.

 

Mwamu urges the current Kenya Kwanza Government to fix the Country’s economy which he adds is ailing instead of engaging Kenyans on such a debate of wanting to extend the Presidential term limit to seven years.

Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei is leading the debate on the need to extend he Presidential term limit which has already brought mixed reaction from Kenyans including political leaders allied to the opposition.