As President Uhuru Kenyatta approaches the conclusion of his constitutionally mandated 10-year tenure, NARC-Kenya leader Martha Karua has urged him to enable a seamless turnover of power to his successor.
Karua warned President Kenyatta against any apparent attempts to cling to power during her party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC) on Friday at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.
She linked this to comments made by a group of the Head of State’s closest confidants, who believe he is too young to return home and may instead stay on in another capacity, possibly as Prime Minister.
According to Karua, such a move would be illegal because the Constitution only allows a leader of government business to serve for a maximum of 10 years, regardless of title (President/Prime Minister).
Read: Karua in Consultation with Members Ahead of Polls as She Joins OKA’s Campaign Trail
“Tumeskia watu wakisema, na ata Attorney General amekuwa quoted akisema kwamba hakuna kizuizi la kikatiba rais kuchukua kazi nyingine kama Prime Minister. Niliwaambia kitambo, hiyo inaweza kuwa ni haramu, term limit ni kwamba wengine waweze kupata nafasi,” she said.
“I want to tell any fellow lawyer who may try to misinterpret the Constitution; the term limit means 10 years to steer the nation at the top level, you exit and go do something else. This is irrespective of your age, you could even be 40, term limit ikifika unarudi nyumbani.”
Karua also advised President Kenyatta to follow in the traditions of his forefathers, late President Daniel Moi and retired Head of State Mwai Kibaki.
Karua claimed that when Moi and Kibaki’s terms as Heads of State came to an end, they gladly and peacefully handed over power and retired to private life, and that President Kenyatta should do the same.
Read Also: OKA, Azimio to Field One Presidential Candidate – Gideon Moi
“Wakati wa kwanza tuliona rais akiwacha mamlaka wakati wake ukifika ilikuwa ni 2002 wakati Kibaki alipoingia na Moi akaondoka. That was our first democratic transition. Ya pili ikawa ni 2013 wakati rais mstaafu Kibaki aliondoka na Uhuru Kenyatta akaingia,” she said.
“Hii ya mwaka huu itakuwa ni ya tatu. Na lazima tuige mfano wa kuondoka kwa mamlaka wakati ukifika. Kwa sababu tuko na Constitutional term limit, ya kuwapatia Wakenya wengine waweze kuendeleza nchi yote na kuwapatia vyama vingine na watu wa tabaka vyote nafasi ya kuwania hiyo kiti.”
Karua also advised Kenyan people to elect responsible leaders who have been tried and tested in the upcoming August elections.
She asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), led by Wafula Chebukati, to hold a credible election and ensure freedom and fairness.
2 thoughts on “Go Home – Martha Karua Urges President Uhuru”