Article 142 (2) of the Constitution stipulates that a person shall not hold office as president for more than two terms. This is to avoid creating a kleptocratic society where people are in chains of political den.
The proposal to repeal the Constitution to remove the presidential term limits and replace it with a 75-year age limit is a move to dismember the supreme law and weaken our democracy, which the country has strived to establish over the years.
Legitimate power vested in the head of state and the legislature is derived from the electorate who vote for them so as to fulfil their wishes and aspirations. It is a big betrayal to citizens when the executive and legislature are focused on increasing their allowances and office terms while the voters wallow in destitution.
Kenya, like any other civilisation, is struggling with the effects of poor governance because those in positions of authority are only interested in gobbling up public funds and pandering to vested interests. When policies do not favour those in power, they are repealed or amended to serve their interests.
This is what some of the longest-serving African Presidents such as Paul Biya of Cameroon have done. They have held onto power for many years and show no signs of stepping down soon. That’s why Africa has recently has experienced coups to overthrow tyrant leaders.
It is barely three months since the Kenya Kwanza government took office. As its members have always said, this country needs a working system to punch above its weight. Focus should be on improving the economy, provision of services and fostering values to spur development and not how to extend their terms in office.
Kenyans should not allow this act of impunity to see the light of day. It will threaten the cohesion of our society whose majority population are in the periphery. They should call to order greedy and inconsiderate politicians whose urge for power is insatiable.
Power is sweet. Politicians are the 'demigods' on Planet Earth. Their influence in society is strong and anyone will dream of possessing such immense power.
The fastest way to sudden wealth is through politics and its tricks to power ascendancy. Maybe the proposal is meant to ensure their businesses are safe and that they accumulate more wealth now that corruption is like a business in Kenya.
Enough time to implement bottom-up agenda
It's beginning to look like even if the Kenya Kwanza administration is given 100 years, mwananchi will not gain much.
We expect the brigadiers to streamline the economy now that they are in power. President KIbaki did much in his 10-year tenure and, therefore, the current regime has no reason to justify extending the presidential term limits.
Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya exists to oppose anything that poses a threat to the well-being of the Constitution and our democracy. They have to keep the government on its toes and mobilise the electorate to resist the rise of absolute power.
The members of Parliament from both sides should stand firm to protect the supremacy of the Constitution without falling back to party politics. They represent the people’s voice, hence, the motion or bill must not pass the first reading. They should remember that voters have the power to recall them even before 2027.
Like the Bridge Building Initiative, the legal system should also not allow this bane to succeed otherwise history will judge it harshly.
Student of communication and media technology, Maseno University
