•This comes after Yakub revealed that some UDA legislators are currently working on a Constitutional amendment bill to replace the two-term limit with an age limit of 75 years.
•However, UDA through the party chair came out to clarify that what the MP said was only an opinion of his own.
Image: FILE
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has cautioned against removing the presidential term limit.
Waititu, however, said Presidents should be committed to serving the people during their terms as though they were to seek an additional term.
"What I am saying is that some leaders tend to serve personal interests in their last terms because they know they would not be seeking reelection," he told the Star in an interview on the phone.
"Let leaders serve Kenyans as though they will be continuously seeking additional terms in a competitive election."
Waititutu spoke hours after Fafi MP Salaha Yakub claimed that President William Ruto's UDA party was plotting to do away with presidential term limits.
"It is not that I am supporting the removal of term limits but saying that term limits are dangerous when greedy leaders take over power...they know they will exit so they tend to work for their own interests," he said.
"Imagine a situation where a president knows that competitive elections are around the corner and they are seeking reelection, they will do their best..what we must emphasise is free and democratic elections."
Waititu gave an example of retired President Mwai Kibaki whom he said left office with Kenyans hoping for even a few more days to complete his projects.
"Many agree Kibaki served Kenyans well...what if he was allowed to run again, we could have become another Singapore," Waitutu said.
Yakub revealed that some UDA legislators are currently working on a Constitutional amendment bill to replace the two-term limit with an age limit of 75 years.
Yakub revealed the plan during a relief food distribution drive in Garissa over the weekend.
However, UDA through the party chair Johnson Muthama came out to clarify that what the MP said was only an opinion of his own.
"Please take note of this, as the National Party, Chairman I wish to categorically state that Hon. Yakub's made a personal statement which has nothing to do with UDA Kenya," Muthama said.
Muthama added the party was still in full support of the two-term presidential limit.
"As a Party, we stand for open Democracy, and we remain supportive of the two-term presidential limit and no ongoing discussions to scrap it," Muthama said.