Kimilili’s Member of Parliament, Didmus Barasa, asserted on April 15, 2024, that the Kenya Kwanza coalition is poised to lead the nation for the next five decades. Drawing parallels with the long-standing reigns of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) and Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Barasa emphasized continuity in governance under President William Ruto’s coalition.
He pointed out that the ANC has governed South Africa since 1994, while the CCM has held power in Tanzania since 1995. In an interview with K24, Barasa outlined his vision, indicating that President Ruto is slated for a decade-long tenure, after which leadership will seamlessly transition to his successor from the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Barasa stressed the importance of successive presidents building upon the progress initiated by their predecessors without necessarily altering the term limit. The Kenya Kwanza government assumed power following the August 2022 general election, with some leaders within the coalition hinting at constitutional amendments to extend presidential term limits.
In September 2023, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei proposed extending the presidential term limit from five to seven years, submitting his suggestion to the National Dialogue Committee at the Bomas of Kenya. Chaired by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the committee solicited input from leaders and citizens to shape its final report for parliamentary consideration.
Cherargei argued that the existing term limit hampers a president’s ability to fulfill their mandate effectively. However, his proposal was met with skepticism from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, which dismissed it as his personal viewpoint.
Additionally, Fafi Member of Parliament Salah Yakub advocated for the removal of the two-term limit for presidents, advocating for extended leadership to drive further development. He also suggested an age limit of 75 years for presidential candidates, aligning with the UDA’s stance on eligibility criteria.
