NAIROBIO, Kenya, Oct 25 – The Senate email system has crashed after receiving over 200,000 submissions on new term limits extension.
Among the proposals include the extension of the Presidential and Members of Parliament term limits from five to seven years.
In a statement on Friday, the Senate directed the public to send their submissions to; senatejlahrc@parliament.go.ke while apologising for any inconvenience caused.
“Thank you for the overwhelming response on The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No 2) Bill ,2024. Due to high volumes of submissions, our email system has temporarily experienced issues,” read the statement.
On October 2, the Senate invited public views on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that seeks the term extension among other proposals.
The Standing Committee on Justice Legal affairs and Human Rights is expected to hold a public hearing on the Bill on Friday October 25 at 9.00 am at the Senate Chambers.
The Bill sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei will see Presidents enjoy a seven-year term if the Bill amends Article 136 of the Constitution.
The proposal will also apply to other elected officials such as Governors and Members of Parliament.
Currently the elected leaders serve for five-year terms before seeking re-election.
The President and Governors are restricted to two consecutive terms, while Members of Parliament and MCA have no term limits.
The Bill also proposes the creation of the office of the Prime Minister that will be appointed by the president similar to the proposal made in the National Dialogue Committee and the Building Bridges Initiative reports.
“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,” the bill reads in part.
The Bill also proposes to involve the Senate in approving the deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces in any part of the country. Currently, the law states that the executive must seek the approval of the National Assembly.
The Bill also proposes an amendment to Article 181 of the constitution that provides for the procedure for removal from office of a county governor from office or a deputy governor so as to have a decision to impeach a Governor being challenged only at the Supreme Court.
