President William Ruto has strongly opposed a proposal by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to extend the term limits for elected leaders.
Ruto said he remains committed to upholding and defending the letter, and spirit of the Constitution.
In a statement, the head of state emphasised the importance of constitutional integrity and democratic principles, urging lawmakers to resist any attempts to alter term limits for personal or political gains.
The Bill, which was proposed by Cherargei, seeks to extend the presidential tenure to a seven-year term.
It will also apply to governors and Members of Parliament.
The Bill amends Article 136 of the Constitution.
Currently, elected leaders serve for a five-year term before seeking re-election.
The Bill also proposes the creation of the office of the Prime Minister, who will be appointed by the president.
“The Bill seeks to amend Article 151 by inserting 151(a) which proposes to create the office of the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the president from amongst the members of Parliament. The Prime Minister shall be the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament,” the bill reads in part.
The Bill also proposes an amendment to Article 181 of the Constitution that provides for the procedure for removal from office of a governor or a deputy governor to have a decision challenged only at the Supreme Court.
Ruto's opposition to the Bill comes shortly after the United Democratic Alliance distanced itself from the document, in a notice that the President reposted.
In the statement on Wednesday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar said the Bill is profoundly misguided and self-serving and contravenes a long-held aspiration of Kenyans.
He added that the Bill seeks to deny the people regular opportunities to hold leadership to account and directly exercise sovereign power.
According to him, the Bill does not seek to pursue any meaningful objectives beyond illegitimate, myopic and retrogressive ends.
“The party therefore dissociates itself from the repugnant and backward bill and calls any of its rank and file who leads, supports or is, in any manner whatsoever, involved with it, to order: The bill is incompatible with our policy and aspirations. This juvenile political experimentation and delinquent affront to our constitutional values must now be crushed to a halt!” Omar said.
