Party NEC has not discussed presidential term limit amendments - UDA CEO Odanga

UDA Executive Director Nahashon Odanga has distanced the party from the claims by the legislator, adding that the MP spoke his opinion, and such is not the position of the party.

In an exclusive interview with Citizen Digital, Odanga exuded confidence in the party conforming to the rule of law, adding that the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) has not had any sitting over the matter.

“I can confirm that as a party we have not had such a conversation to extend the term limit of a sitting president. Our constitution foresees a situation in which a sitting president can only serve for two terms, then leave office,” Odanga said. 

“What the MP said is not the position of the party. Our president is a law-abiding citizen. UDA party NEC has not had sittings for a while, a matter of that nature would come up at such a meeting,” he added. 

Mr Odanga’s utterances come on the heels of a storm sparked by MP Yakub, who claimed that some UDA lawmakers are working on a constitutional amendment bill to scrap the two-term limit and also cap age limit at 75 years.

Should these claims carry weight and end up in parliament, the amendment would ostensibly give President Ruto, 55, the leeway to seek re-election for four terms, or 20 years. 

Senior officials of the party denied backing a plan to repeal the said presidential term limits, terming the idea “fertile imagination” which would not see the day. 

Party Chairperson Johnston Muthama also said they had not discussed the matter nor do they support it. 

On his part, Senate Majority Whip and Kakamega Senator Dr Boni Khalwale said the lawmaker was “wrong and grossly out of order”.