Cherargei To Involve Parliament Over Increase In Presidential Term Limit

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has announced that he is considering bringing forth his proposal to extend the presidential term limit to Parliament.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 3, the ally of President William Ruto expressed dissatisfaction with the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) after he claimed that it denied him a chance to present his views at Bomas of Kenya.

"Out of fear and parochial political interests, the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) has refused my appearance before the committee for my earthquake presentation. They have cowed out of emotional blackmail and herd mentality," he slammed the committee.

"This is pure discrimination against the constitution despite many Kenyans and stakeholders appearing before it and also hypocrisy since it uses taxpayers' money in their sittings of chai & maandazi."

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) senator added that he is considering fronting the proposal within the chambers of Parliament.

"I am exploring the option of legislative intervention in our proposals through the Parliamentary process," he added.

The dialogue committee in a letter to Cherargei revealed that it will consider using his submitted memoranda instead of him making an oral presentation.

“We regret to inform you that we shall not hold the meeting as earlier communicated. In light of the foregoing, the Committee shall consider your written memoranda as earlier submitted,” the letter read in part.

The senator, however, responded by accusing the committee, co-chaired by Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung'wah of succumbing to emotional black mail and cowing to parochial political interest resulting in non-practising of the principle of natural justice.

Other issues he wanted to present before the committee included institutionalization of the office of the opposition Leader, re-introduction of the office of the Prime Minister, constitutional backing for the (CDF) and Ward Development Fund and veto powers of the Senate.

"I hereby wish to express my dissatisfaction with the committee on my memoranda considering that the matters I raised elicited serious concerns among members of the public

"The extension of the oral submission is not optional since many Kenyans and other stakeholders still have many issues that need to be addressed to the Committee," the letter to NADCO by Cherargei stated.

Senator Cherargei has been on the spot in recent days after he proposed the presidential term limit to be extended from two five-year terms to two seven-year terms.

How Did UDA React to Cherargei Proposal?

UDA however distanced itself from Cherargei's proposal, with Secretary General Cleophas Malala on Monday, September 25 affirming that the views of the Senator did not reflect the official position of the Head of State on the matter.

The senator became the third high-ranking UDA politician proposing to extend the Presidential term limit as set in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

"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. The President solemnly swore to respect, uphold and defend the Constitution which is abundantly clear and categorical on the Presidential term limit," stated Malala in part.

"Respectfully, therefore, the term limit debate is superfluous and peripheral."

Cleophas Malala speaking during a fundraising ceremony towards the construction of the Salvation Army Church in Mt. Elgon Constituency on September 24, 2023. /CLEOPHAS MALALA