Mutua, ODM oppose scrapping of president’s term limit

Governor Alfred Mutua (right) with his deputy Francis Maliti in Mombasa yesterday. [Gideon Maundu, Standard]

Governor Alfred Mutua has dismissed Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s proposal to scrap presidential term limit.

Kalonzo has since claimed he was misquoted over the remarks suggesting he supports President Uhuru Kenyatta’s continued stay in power.

Speaking in Mombasa yesterday, Dr Mutua said although there was a general consensus on the need for constitutional review, this did not include extending Uhuru’s presidency.

“As Maendelo Chap Chap we do not support any proposal to scrap presidential or gubernatorial  term limits. We do not want to go back to dictatorship,” said Mutua.

“Youths should be inspired to contest for positions by ensuring that no individual will be a leader forever, be it in national or community politics,” he said.

Mutua, however, supported calls to expand the Executive to create the positions of prime minister, deputy prime minister and a vibrant opposition.

According to Mutua, Kalonzo’s utterances shows that he has given up on the 2022 presidential contest.

Mutua and governors Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) have in the recent days openly rebelled against Kalonzo, and vowed to unite the Kamba community behind fresh leadership.

Mutua, who has already declared interest in 2022 presidential election, said he was ready to talk with Kibwana and Ngilu on poll plans.

“We are also cognizant of the fact that one community cannot make one a president and that is why we will engage other political parties,” he said.

Leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have also opposed suggestions to remove term limits for presidency and governors, saying this will water down democracy.

“We must be careful not to go back where we came from in the quest for a referendum. All occupants of Executive positions must have term limits because evidence has shown that this is an important ingredient in democracy,” said Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi.

The MP also supported the creation of the prime minister’s post.

“We have no problem with the creation of office of leader of opposition, what we want is to reform the Executive. The leader of opposition can continue playing his or her role but the Executive as it is currently must be reformed,” he said.

Siaya Senator James Orengo said one of the issues on ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s list, under the building bridges initiative, was ending electoral injustice. Mr Orengo said he was confident  Raila would be in leadership before 2022.