Kenyans have reacted sharply to the revelation by Fafi MP Salah Yakub that plans were underway to remove the presidential term limit as enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution.
This comes after Yakub said that some members of President William Ruto’s UDA Party are working on a Constitutional Amendment Bill to replace the two-term limit with a 75 years age limit.
Yakub disclosed there have been behind-the-scenes discussions on the matter even though he did not name names.
He first so in Garissa County last weekend when he was in the county for the distribution of relief food to county residents.
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“We want to tell Kenyans that the limit on two terms should be relooked. We want it to be changed to an age limit where one gets to 75 years ben he or she cannot contest,” Yakub said.
“We will come up with an Amendment Bill to try to change this because we want the requirement to be on age liming and not terms,”
“If a president is doing a good, then he or she should not be limited by terms,” Yakub added.
Fafi MP Salah Yakub calls for the two-term-presidential term limit to be removed and the age limit for contesting for the same seat reduced to 75 years pic.twitter.com/4JIiJW3DMf
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 8, 2022
However, Kenyans have received the proposal with mixed reactions, with a majority opposing the move saying it would destroy the democracy Kenya has worked for through the years.
The UDA party and some members of the party have distanced themselves from Yakub's remarks, saying those were his personal opinions.
Here are a few reactions from Kenyans on Twitter over the matter:
Of the dire challenges facing Fafi constituency (drought, hunger,lack of clean water,poverty,poor hospitals, lawlessness/bandit attacks,teachers withdrawal by TSC) this tyro MP sees as a priority a constitutional amendment to remove the Presidential term limits. Who cursed Fafi? pic.twitter.com/eqge3SSvYj
— Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC (@ahmednasirlaw) November 8, 2022
Ruto should be honorable and not taint his image wrongly. He fooled fools and he should take advantage of that to mutilate our constitution. He can rule for 2 terms and make as more wealth he wants but changing presidential term limit, we shouldn't go there. We beg him
— michael (@michaelomoto4) November 8, 2022
Dear UDA FAFI MP Salah Yakub, clearly you have forgotten what happened in 2007. Let me remind you, FAFI is not far to get hold of you and charge you. Your greedy plan to change the Presidential Term limit is moot. Tell your bosses that we will burn this country if they try to pic.twitter.com/4SPPkyT6MX
— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) November 8, 2022
Dear UDA FAFI MP Salah Yakub, clearly you have forgotten what happened in 2007. Let me remind you, FAFI is not far to get hold of you and charge you. Your greedy plan to change the Presidential Term limit is moot. Tell your bosses that we will burn this country if they try to pic.twitter.com/4SPPkyT6MX
— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) November 8, 2022
I can see UDA MPS have plans to scrap the presidential term limit & replace it with age limit of 75 yrs. PRESIDENT Ruto who is 55yrs old has 20 more yrs to rule. Kenyans adjust your seat belts. It's not even 100 days of KK govt and we are seeing such nonsense nonstop.
— HON. AYUB SAVULA (@HonAyubSavula) November 8, 2022
Ababu. pic.twitter.com/zhDpj9ydeK
Someone please assist my myopic sight. Is that a UDA miscreant requesting for presidential term limits to be scrapped or is it a figment of my imagination
— Voice Of Langata (@Midila_Thunder) November 8, 2022
Anyway I saw it coming, revising term limit for the president!. Museveni is here in Kenya now, mnataka kuongoza milele. pic.twitter.com/w0lrpLXIlL
Discussions on presidential term limit are healthy. Even Americans have long held such conversations. Let’s not read too much into this. @NairobiReviewKE
— Herman Manyora (@HManyora) November 8, 2022
I am a staunch supporter of William Ruto n his government but will vehemently oppose any attempt to remove the presidential term limit from the Constitution.
— Ithe wa Ciana (@joshep1248) November 8, 2022
Fortunately, it will require a referendum n my vote will be an emphatic NO!
Chairman, tell Yakub and those testing the will of Kenyans to stop their exuberant hallucinations and focus on providing services to the people. https://t.co/kbEDSfF2pN
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) November 8, 2022
Hon Salah Yakub, the new MP for Fafi Constituency. I don't know him yet. Granted, he enjoys the freedom of speech.
— Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS (@KBonimtetezi) November 8, 2022
However, he must be reminded that @UDAKenya believes in the doctrine of Basic Structure & Essential Clauses in our Constitution. He is wrong & grossly out of order pic.twitter.com/LwJbx8tm6H