Kenyan lawyer Wilkins Ochoki has rubbished the ambitious bid by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to extend the term limit for the president and Members of Parliament (MPs) from five(5) years to seven(7) years.

Mr Ochoki, who is the former South Nyanza Law Society of Kenya Executive, said the move by the Senator only panders to ego.

The ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has since distanced itself from the Bill saying it goes against the aspirations of Kenyans.

"Of grave concern is that this cynical, profoundly misguided and self-serving Bill contravenes a long-held aspiration of the people of Kenya to retire the undemocratic entrenchment of unaccountable political monopolies, and seeks to deny the people regular opportunities to hold leadership to account and directly exercise sovereign power,” UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar said in a recent statement.

But lawyer Ochoki said despite the ‘gentleman stance’ by key party in the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, Kenyans should respondingly reject it during the public hearing.

Members of public have until October 25, 2024, to submit their views on the controversial Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Kenyan's participation has been going on since October 2, 2024, before the Senate Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

To participate, members of the public submit written memoranda on the Bill to Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.

Public hearing comes on Friday.

"It is just selfish... you would be just punishing people who are not getting services even within these five(5) years we are having now. It will be nightmarish living under the leadership of someone not doing anything for seven(7) good years," Mr Ochoki reasoned.

The proposed law by Cherargei further seeks to elongate the term of service for thecMembers of County Assembly (MCAs), and governors as well.

It roots that they serve a seven-year-term upon election, a revision upwards from the five(5) years currently.

“The Bill proposes to amend Article 136 of the Constitution, which provides for election of the President, to increase the term of President from five(5) years to seven(7) years,” the Bill states.

The Senator claims that the five-year term is insufficient for the President to effectively execute his or her mandate.

The current President is William Ruto who took oath of office on September 13, 2024.

Already the Senate's Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and Human Rights has set the public hearing on October 25, 2024, at the Senate Chambers.

Mr Ochoki, however, speaking to journalists in Kisii, termed the entire proposal by Mr Cherargei as a joke feeding into the usual antics by Kenya politicians.

It would only be tolerable, he said, if the seven-term limit is served once.

"In fact it should be reduced to even four(4) years, not extending it any more," Mr Ochoki told AVDelta News.

@magatinews