24/10/2024
Dear sir/madam,
RE: Memorandum of opposition to term limit extensions and new positions for politicians in proposed bill amendments.
I PAUL WATENE NJUGUNA of National ID number********hereby express my civic duty and constitutional right by strongly opposing the proposals to extend term limits for politicians and introduction of a Prime Minister position to The Constitution of Kenya Amendment (No. 2) Bill, 2024 (Senate Bills No. 46 of 2024). To be specific, I reject the following sections that seek to:
* amend Article 136 to amend the term of President from five years to seven years
* amend Article 151 by inserting article 15 1A which proposes to create the office of the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the president from amongst the members of Parliament.The Prime Minister shall be the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament.
* amend Article 177 of the Constitution to amend the term of Members of County Assembly from five to seven years.
* amend Article 180 of the Constitution to amend the term of Governor from five to seven years.
These specific amendments are insensitive to the current plight of the nation. Our wage bill that requires auditing cannot handle an additional position of Prime Minister. That position alone will attract a hefty monthly salary, an establishment of an unnecessary public office, exorbitant public expenditure of the Prime Minister and his staff, grandiose retirement packages. The next effect will be a financially oppressed public budget, which will be footed by the taxpayer. The proposal is unwise and grossly insensitive.
The extension of terms to 7 years has no logical bearing. The president, members of parliament, Governors and MCAs have not given the Kenyan public enough proof to establish the need for more time to improve our well-being. If anything, in the short period that the Kenya Kwanza government has been in office, the public has reason to decrease the terms of leaders and not increase them. These amendments carry the aura of fearful politicians who desire to hold onto power without the goodwill and wherewithal to fight corruption.
I hereby reiterate that I reject all the amendments to terms limits and introduction of new positions in the executive and call for their deletion. Let the public servants honour the people of Kenya and the God of all creation who blesses this land and nation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
PAUL WATENE NJUGUNA .
