Tiaty Member of Parliament William Kamket has threatened to make President William Ruto stay in power for a longer time, over mounting criticism aimed at the Head of State.
Speaking during an interdenominational service attended by the President at Kerio Valley in Elgeyo Marakwet on Sunday, January 5, the controversial lawmaker lashed out at those criticising Ruto, insisting that should they continue the threats, then they can extend his stay on the seat.
Kamket, while referencing how former President Daniel Moi stayed in power for 24 years, revealed that they know what it takes to make Ruto go beyond the stipulated term limits.
”I come from that county, Baringo County, where we know what the number 24 years means. We are the ones who know how to manufacture for the President to be on the seat for 24 years,” Kamket asserted.
According to the lawmaker, some leaders have come out to intimidate the President, something that he maintained will also force them to embark on the term extension course.
”If they play, if they play, we can even tell you to go for some additional time,” he said.
Adding, ”There are some funny characters who are trying to disturb this government, and we want to thank Kimani Ichung’wah for speaking for us recently.”
However, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, largely viewed as an insider to the President, dismissed Kamket’s pronouncements, saying that the idea was unlawful.
According to Sudi, Ruto will exit the office upon the completion of his second term (if reelected) without forcing himself on Kenyans.
”Kamket, we are people who honour the Constitution. President Ruto, you have eight years remaining on your term for you to exit the office and go home,” Sudi asserted.
This is not the first time a leader from the Rift Valley region has proposed the idea of extending presidential term limits. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei previously presented a bill in the Senate seeking such an extension.
The Senator proposed an amendment in April to extend the presidential term from five years to seven. However, the bill faced a setback when it was rejected by the Senate in November last year.
Talks around an extension of presidential term limits are largely viewed by political analysts as a means-testing tool to gauge the public response.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei at Parliament Buildings.
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Samson Cherargei