Senate To Hold Public Hearings On Proposed Extension Of Presidential Term

The Senate has scheduled public hearings for Friday to gather public opinions on a proposal to extend the terms of the President and other elected leaders from five to seven years. Here’s a breakdown of the key details:

Bill Overview

The proposed amendment is called the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Senate Bill No. 46 of 2024).
The bill, sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, seeks to extend the terms of elected leaders from five to seven years.
It also proposes the creation of a Prime Minister’s office, appointed by the President from Members of Parliament (MPs) from the majority party or coalition in Parliament. The Prime Minister would oversee the daily administration of government and be accountable to Parliament.

Public Participation and Submission

The Senate has invited members of the public to submit written comments on the bill by Friday, October 25, to Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.
Public hearings will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in the amphitheater, where individuals can share their views in person.
So far, the Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee has received over 120,000 written submissions on the bill since public participation began in October.

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Political Reactions

Ruling Party’s Response

The ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has distanced itself from the bill, stating it does not support the proposal.
In a statement, UDA described the bill as “repugnant and backward” and said it conflicts with their party’s policies and aspirations.
UDA Secretary General, Hassan Omar, criticized the bill, calling it a “self-serving” initiative that undermines Kenya’s hard-won democratic principles.

National Assembly’s Majority Leader

Kimani Ichung’wah, Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly, stated that the bill is “dead on arrival” and will not pass even if it is approved by the Senate.
He urged Cherargei to save time and resources by abandoning the proposal.

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What’s Next?

The Senate committee will review all public submissions and make recommendations before the bill is debated further.
The fate of the bill depends on the outcome of Senate discussions and any future debate in the National Assembly.