President Ruto dismisses talk of extending his term limit

President William Ruto has dismissed claims that there are plans to extend his presidential term, insisting that those spreading such rumours do not understand the weight and responsibility of leading a nation.

He stressed that once his term ends, he will hand over power to whoever succeeds him. His remarks contradict some of his close allies who have been vocal in supporting an extension of his stay in office.

Talk of extending the presidential term is not new under President William Ruto’s administration. Some MPs have gone as far as proposing constitutional amendments. One suggestion calling for a seven-year term, and another for up to twenty years. Today, the President finally broke his silence and rejected those proposals.

“Kama hiyo tumefanya ni kwa miaka miwili, Mnieleze na miaka kumi,miaka ishirini? na ujue nilisema hivyo juzi watu wengine wako na tabia mbaya wakaenda wakasema huyu mtu amesema atakuwa rais miaka ishirini kwani watu wanafikiria hii kazi ya rais ni kazi rahisi ya kupigiwa kelele kila siku? Mimi nangojea siku itafika pia mimi niende  mwingine achukue asonge. I want to make my contribution,” said Ruto.

The debate kicked off in earnest in 2022 just two months after the general election when Fafi MP Yakub Salah proposed scrapping the two-term limit and instead introducing an age cap, suggesting no president should serve beyond age 75.

“...It is not a Party Stance it has nothing to do with the Party Stance it has nothing to do with the current president it is about Kenyans...'' MP Yakub Salah said.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei later revived the discussion, proposing a seven-year presidential term. He argued that the first year is spent forming government, while the fifth year is consumed by political activities that disrupt development.

"Out of five years, you only have three to serve the people. If you give seven years, I think it’s an important conversation to have," he said.

The latest to push for a term extension is Devki Group Chairman Narendra Raval, speaking in Tororo, Uganda. For the second time, he suggested that Ruto’s leadership needs more time to transform the country.

"I will repeat, although the constitution does not allow it if I could, I would say stay for twenty years. The last time I said it, I was attacked, but if you want to eliminate unemployment, you need such leadership,” Mr Raval remarked.

Some political analysts frame the proposals as legitimate constitutional discussions  while others see them as driven by political ambition and selfish interests. President William Ruto, however, has firmly rejected the idea likely putting the matter to rest.