Kenya’s ruling coalition has denied having a hand in a proposal by one of its lawmakers to remove presidential term limits and replace it with an age limit.
The country’s constitution currently allows for a president to serve a maximum of two five-year terms.
But the MP, Salah Yakub, early this week suggested that the ruling coalition would push for an amendment to end term limits and have the president’s age capped at 75 years instead.
Such a constitutional amendment would have to be approved in a referendum. If successful, it would see President William Ruto, 55, remain in office for 20 years.
The proposal has sparked a storm in the country and the president’s party, UDA, has distanced itself from it.
“The party has not been part of discussions in regard to term limits. The party is busy implementing The Plan [President Ruto’s campaign pledges] and will not be part of sideshows,” said the party in a tweet..
Uganda’s opposition leader, Bobi Wine, urged Kenyans to be vigilant and drew comparisons to the scrapping of term limits by President Yoweri Museveni.
Dear Kenyans, BE VIGILANT. Save your country from Musevenism. This may come off as a lone MP making a ridiculous suggestion, but this is how it starts. Exactly how Museveni began schemes to remove TERM and AGE limits. Defend your Constitution before it's too weak to defend you! pic.twitter.com/43qPzK3nDq
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) November 8, 2022