ODM leaders vow to shoot down Cherargei bill

A showdown is looming in parliament as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party laid bare its plan to shoot down the controversial Constitution of Kenya Amendment (No. 2) Bill, 2024 terming it an insult to Kenyans

Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi and Kakamega Governor, who is also County ODM Chairman Fernandes Barasa have vowed to defeat the proposed law when time for debating it comes

The bill by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei proposes to increase the term of service for the president, Senators, Members of Parliament, governors, and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from the current five years to seven years.

The leaders speaking in two different functions in Vihiga during the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Vihiga branch Annual General Meeting held at Majengo and in Butere, said ODM will oppose the bill.

Senator Sifuna has announced plans to marshal the party's members both in the National Assembly and the Senate to take the bill down.

The lawmaker said no member of his party will support the quest by Cherargei to extend the term of elected leaders.

"In every market, there is always a madman, and so in Parliament, we also have some. You can't wake up and state that you want to increase the term limits," said Sifuna.

He added, "As the Secretary General of the ODM party, I know we are satisfied with the constitutionally given five-year term, and as leaders, we should embrace it and that after it we go back to the electorates to give us another chance or not," said Sifuna.

Senator Osotsi, on his side, said the controversial Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was fronted by one individual and stands no chance to be passed by the majority as it will lack support after ODM distanced itself from it.

He added that the bid was unnecessary as the current five-year term provides sufficient time for officeholders to implement policies.

"We are not ready for drama, five years is enough for leaders to perform their duties," said the lawmakers.

Barasa said the move to increase the term limit will be a major setback to the 2010 constitution, which dictates that elected leaders should serve for five years and can be re-elected for a second term. 

“We want to tell the mover of the motion that let us not amend the constitution. The president was elected for five years and if he does a good job then can be re-elected. Same to us governors; if we do a good job, then we can be elected to serve a second term,” Barasa said. 

The county boss acknowledged that the 2010 constitution has been effective for almost 14 years and any changes to the same should be people-orientated. 

“I know Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is just tasting the waters because the Constitution is clear. As ODM chairperson for Kakamega County, I strongly oppose that proposal,” he said. 

Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Whycliffe Oparanya opposed the proposal, saying it would cause unrest and destabilise peace in the country. 

Oparanya said the proposal does not seek to address any of the challenges revolving around the cost of living being witnessed in the country. 

“The Kenya Kwanza government which I currently serve has an elaborate plan for citizens and the proposal has no impact on our plans. Increasing the term limit for elected leaders has no impact on development,” said Oparanya. 

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula questioned the rationale for the proposal saying that it was impossible. 

“We don’t want Museveni’s in this country, the solemn power belongs to the people, and the people want elected leaders to serve for five years and not seven years,” Savula said.

This comes as thousands of Kenyans shared their memorandums with the Senate rejecting the proposals in the bill.

The Senate revealed that it has received more than 200,000 written memoranda from Kenyans submitting their views on a bill seeking to extend the term limits.

The window for public participation in the controversial Bill was closed on Friday, October 25.

This is the second attempt to alter the presidential term limit since President William Ruto was elected in 2022 and the first attempt was fronted by Fafi MP Farah Yakub.

Yakub had proposed the removal of the term limit and instead replaced it with an age limit of 75 years.

President Ruto was among those who opposed and promised to be at the forefront in the future to do the same in case any attempt to increase term limits was brought forward.

The controversial Bill also proposes the creation of the office of the Prime Minister who will be appointed by the president.