Term,
Members of the public in Nyeri have reacted to a proposed bill that seeks among others the extension of the terms of office for the President and Members of both Parliaments.
The Senate has already invited public views on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that seeks to extend terms for the elected leaders from 5 to 7 years. The Standing Committee on Justice Legal affairs and Human Rights is expected to hold a public hearing forum on the Bill on October 25 at 9.00 am at the Senate Chambers.
Those who wish to contribute to the proposed amendment can channel their proposals either by hand to the Clerk of the Senate or via clerk.senate@parliament.go.ke before 5 pm on the deadline.
“The Bill seeks to amend Article 151 by inserting 151A which proposes to create the office of the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the president from amongst the members of Parliament. The Prime Minister shall be the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament,” reads part of the bill sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cheragei.
If successful, the new law will also apply to other elected officials such as Governors and other elected leaders. But John Njoroge, a taxi driver in Nyeri town has expressed his reservations over the proposed bill arguing that it does not augur well for the country. Njoroge wonders what prompted the drafter of the legislation to come up with such an idea at a time millions of Kenyans are barely making it owing to harsh economic realities.
He says Kenyans need policies and programs that can address their day-to-day challenges such as provision of affordable and quality education, health and programs that can open up income generating opportunities for them. “This bill is not what Kenyans need at the moment. We are already struggling with the high cost of living, and instead of our leaders focusing on how to come up with solutions to these problems they are now discussing extending their terms in office. Leaders should prove their ability to work quickly and effectively and not push to remain in office longer,” says Njoroge.
On his part Peter Waweru, a boda-boda rider opposed the idea of creating a Prime Minister position terming it an unnecessary financial burden to the country’s struggling economy. Waweru accused the political class of being obsessed in pursuing matters that border on their welfare at the expense of addressing the challenges that affect the ordinary Kenyans.
“Why should we have a Prime Minister when we are already struggling with the burden of paying salaries to leaders who are not even solving our problems?” he posed. “It’s the people who are working down here who are feeling the pressure of the current economic situation in the country. We have been pushed to the corner by high fuel prices, taxation and an amendment to the constitution to increase the number of elected leaders is therefore not fair at all,” he laments.
Grace Kendi,a businesswoman also harbors similar concerns. Kendi said the government should be focused on supporting struggling businesses rather than increasing the number of political offices. “This bill doesn’t make sense to me as a business operator. The focus should be on making the economy better, not adding more positions like that of Prime Minister. Right now, the feeling is that our leaders have left us to our own fate,” she pointed out.