President Ruto Tells MPs He is Not Interested in Removal of Term Limit

President William Ruto is not interested in removing the presidential term limit. This he told Kenya Kwanza Alliance MPs during a parliamentary group meeting.

The President stated on Wednesday that lawmakers should give laws that will make Kenyans’ lives better the first priority.

He continued by saying that right now, working for Kenyans is his sole priority.

“Do not spend your time pushing for selfish and self-serving legislation, like changing the Constitution to remove term limits, my focus is service to the people,” Dr Ruto said.

Read: UDA MP Salah Yakub Reveals Plan to Scrap Presidential Term Limit

The plan to scrap the two-term-presidential limit and cap the age limit for running for the presidency at 75 was first brought to light by Fafi MP Salah Yakub.

Speaking to Radio Citizen on Wednesday, UDA Executive Director Odanga Pessa said the head of state will exit the office after serving two terms.

“I know that President Ruto wants to finish his first term, vie for another term, and then go home. We do not want to introduce dictatorship and anything else is just propaganda,” said Mr Pessa.

Mr Pessa maintained that the legislator’s sentiments were made in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the ruling party.

Read Also: UDA Rebuffs Fafi MP Yakub’s Removal of Presidential Term Limit Proposal

“We are a democratic country and as a party we also support democracy. We have our Secretary General Veronica Maina and Chairman Johnson Muthama and we have not had any meeting to discuss term limits. We however believe that every Kenyan has freedom of expression and so the MP has the right to air his views,” said Mr Pessa.

“Those are neither President Ruto nor UDA’s views. The president has the government spokesperson and so does UDA. We cannot send any person to say things on our behalf.”

Last week, party chairman Johnson Muthama said the ruling party stands for democracy and no such discussion had been had.

“Hon Yakub made a personal statement which has nothing to do with UDA. As a party, we stand for open democracy and we remain supportive of the two-term presidential limit and no ongoing discussions to scrap it,” Muthama said.

Read Also: Ruto will Drop Gachagua for Mudavadi in 2027 – Mutahi Ngunyi

However, UDA legislators led by Nandi senator Samson Cherargei have pledged to support the constitutional amendment Bill should it make it to the floor of the House.

“UDA is an epitome of democracy & rule of law. Hon. Salah Yakub is within his right to push this amendment let’s listen first, I shall support in the senate. This is a conversation that might happen in future by Kenyans on scrapping of term limit of a President,” tweeted the senator.