Member of Parliament Salah Yakub’s plan to seek removal of the current two-term limit for the president through the Parliament has continued to cause an uproar among Kenyans.
His remarks have not only been criticized by the opposition but by the party leadership and a section of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) MPS.
UDA party National Chairperson Johnson Muthama said that the MP’s statement was personal, and does not reflect the party’s ambition.
As the National Party, chairman I wish to categorically state that Hon. Yakub made a personal statement which has nothing to do with UDA.
As a Party, we stand for open Democracy and we remain supportive of the two-term presidential limit and no ongoing discussions to scrap it, Muthama said.
According to the MP’s proposal in an article published by Nation.Africa, some of the UDA lawmakers were working on a constitutional amendment Bill to replace the two-term limit with an age limit of 75 years.
Reacting to this, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said that the MP’s move is out of order, and against the ruling party’s agenda.
Dr Khalwale, who is the Majority Chief Whip in the Senate added that UDA believes in the principle of Basic Structure in the 2010 Constitution.
“I don’t know this new MP yet. Granted he enjoys the freedom of speech. However, he must be reminded that UDA believes in the principal of Basic Structure in our constitution. He is completely out of order,” Dr Khalwale said.
Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aokot said that the attempted plan to change the term limit will not happen in the current era.
“This won’t happen. Not in 21st Century Kenya. We may have many problems, but one of them cannot be to accept political mediocrity.”When President Ruto took over the office, he swore to protect the Constitution of Kenya.
The president has not commented on the matter, and neither has he indicated an intention of serving beyond the constitutional term limit.
