We Know How To Make Ruto Stay For 24 Years- Ally

Tiaty Member of Parliament William Kamket on Sunday, January 5 called out those bashing President William Ruto’s administration, threatening to push for constitutional amendments that would see the Head of State rule for up to 24 years.

Speaking during an interdenominational service attended by the President at Kerio Valley in Elgeyo Marakwet, the controversial lawmaker exuded confidence in his ability to stay in power for another term upon being re-elected in the 2022 general elections.

The second-time lawmaker scoffed at those downplaying the Kenya Kwanza government’s achievements insisting President Ruto’s victory in the last general election was the will of the people.

Tiaty Member of Parliament William Kamket. /FACEBOOK

Kamket, while referencing how former President Daniel Moi stayed in power for 24 years, revealed that he and his colleagues know what they should do in the event they wish for Ruto to stay past the two-term limit. This is despite mounting criticism on social media regarding Ruto's overall leadership in just two years of his first term.

According to the lawmaker, some leaders have come out to intimidate the President, something that he maintained will also force them to embark on the term extension course.

“President Ruto, you will be reelected for a second term. I come from Baringo County, and we know how to manufacture a President to stay in power for 24 years. If they joke around, we can ask you to extend your term,” Kamket said.

Adding, ''There are some funny characters who are trying to disturb this government, and we want to thank Kimani Ichung'wah for speaking for us recently." 

However, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, largely viewed as an insider to the President, dismissed Kamket's idea, saying it was against the Kenyan Constitution.

“Kamket has said here that we can make a decision for the president to rule for the next 24 years. We are people who respect the Constitution. Mr. President, you have eight years left and it will be the time to pack up and go home," he said.

This is not the first time a leader from the Rift Valley region has proposed the idea of extending presidential term limits. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei previously presented a bill in the Senate seeking such an extension.

The Senator proposed an amendment in April to extend the presidential term from five years to seven. However, the proposal contained in the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024 faced public opposition during the consultation phase, with 99.99 per cent of submissions expressing strong disapproval, a matter that led to its rejection in November 2024.

Currently, Article 142 of the Kenyan 2010 Constitution indicates that: (1) The President shall hold office for a term beginning on the date on which the President was sworn in, and ending when the person next elected President in accordance with Article 136 (2) (a) is sworn in. The President, however, is prohibited from holding office for more than two five-year terms. 

As of now, President Ruto is serving the first two years of his five-year term and is allowed to contest for another term in the 2027 general elections.

However, fierce opposition by Kenyans towards the Ruto regime as well as current political developments more influenced by the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President in October 2024 could see Ruto spend only one term as Head of State; something that has never happened in Kenya's history.