Nandi Senator Samson Cherargeiโs proposed Bill to extend the terms of the President and all elected leaders from five to seven years, while also introducing the office of the Prime Minister, is a blatant affront to the constitutional order and a direct path to destabilizing Kenyaโs fragile democracy.[โฆ]CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLEโถ
Hereโs why:
Undermining Constitutional Supremacy
Kenyaโs Constitution is the supreme law, crafted with painstaking effort to balance power, uphold democratic values, and safeguard citizensโ rights.
Extending the terms of elected officials without the peopleโs consent is a direct violation of Article 1 of the Constitution, which vests all sovereign power in the people. Unilaterally extending terms would deny the people their right to regularly choose their leaders, a fundamental tenet of democracy.
Threat to Democratic Accountability
The current five-year term was intentionally designed to foster accountability, ensuring elected leaders remain answerable to the electorate within a reasonable time frame.
Extending terms to seven years reduces this accountability, giving corrupt and ineffective leaders more time to entrench themselves, misuse resources, and erode public trust. It creates an environment ripe for dictatorship and authoritarianism.
Constitutional Imbalance in Power Sharing
The proposal to establish the office of the Prime Minister, with the President appointing this individual from the largest party or coalition, contradicts the clear separation of powers outlined in Kenyaโs Constitution.
Such a move reintroduces executive dominance over Parliament, which compromises the independence of the legislative body and creates a hybrid system without clarity. Kenya has already rejected the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) through the courts for similar reasons, and reintroducing such proposals without a national referendum is unconstitutional.
Potential for Political Instability
The proposal sets the stage for political instability and potential civil unrest. Kenyans have fought hard for their democracy, and imposing such fundamental changes without public involvement risks fueling public dissent.
The idea that leaders can extend their terms and concentrate power is a dangerous precedent, especially in a country that has a history of electoral violence. It would likely spark widespread protests and, potentially, a civil war.
Violating the Will of the People
In Article 10, the Constitution emphasizes national values like inclusiveness, transparency, and participation of the people in governance. Imposing a longer term for leaders and restructuring governance without comprehensive public participation violates these values.
It ignores the will of the people, especially when previous attempts to introduce similar changes through the BBI were met with widespread opposition.
Reintroduction of a Controversial Power Structure
The reintroduction of a Prime Minister appointed by the President would revert Kenya back to a time when executive powers were not clearly defined, leading to conflicts between the presidency and parliament. History has shown that such systems tend to breed power struggles, inefficiency, and corruption.
This proposal threatens to undo the progress Kenya has made since the adoption of the 2010 Constitution, which was aimed at addressing these very problems.
Civil War is a Likely Consequence
Kenyaโs political history is marked by violent elections, most notably in 2007. Any attempt to change term limits or restructure governance unconstitutionally would be seen as an attempt to consolidate power and disenfranchise the public.
This proposal could ignite ethnic tensions, political unrest, and eventually lead to widespread violence, much like what has been witnessed in other African nations that have attempted similar power grabs.
The very fabric of Kenyaโs democracy would be torn apart, and a civil war is not a distant possibility if the government attempts to force this Bill into law.
Samson Cherargeiโs proposed Bill is not only unconstitutional but also a direct threat to Kenyaโs democratic future. Extending presidential terms and reintroducing the position of Prime Minister undermines the Constitution, fosters authoritarianism, and risks plunging the country into civil war.
Kenyaโs leaders must prioritize constitutional integrity and the will of the people over short-term political gains. This Bill should be rejected in its entirety, and any attempts to amend the Constitution should be done through lawful, participatory processes, not backdoor dealsโฆCLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>
