President William Ruto could be in power for the next 20 years if the plan by a section of lawmakers to scrap off the presidential term limit sails through.

Fafi MP Salah Yakub revealed that some United Democratic Alliance (UDA) MPs were working to amend Article 142 of the Constitution.

Article 142 of the Constitution of Kenya states that the person shall not hold office as president for more than two terms. Each term has five years.

President William Ruto could be in power for the next 20 years if the plan by a section of lawmakers to scrap off the presidential term limit sails through.

President William Ruto

President William Ruto could be in power for the next 20 years if the plan by a section of lawmakers to scrap off the presidential term limit sails through. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

However, the UDA legislator said they are working on a constitutional amendment Bill to replace the cap with age not the period of service.

“We want to tell Kenyans that the limit on two terms should be relooked. We want it to be changed to an age limit where when one gets to 75 years, then he/she cannot contest for the presidency,

“We will come up with an amendment to try to change this because we want the requirement to be on age limit and not terms. If a president is doing a good job, then he or she should not be limited by the terms,” the lawmaker said as quoted by the Daily Nation.

Ruto to extend term limits

If successful, the plan will lock out Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga from running for the presidency in the 2027 election.

Others who will be affected include Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and others who could be willing to succeed William Ruto.

Ruto addressing press

A section of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party leaders dismissed the plan to scrap off presidential term limit saying it is “madness” and “totally ridiculous” and that it will not sail through.

“This madness of Kenya Kwanza madness will come to an end very soon. They are talking about many things but once their mind settles, they will realize that they have work to do and stop all this monkey business they have been taking the country through in the last two months,” National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed said.