Senator Cherargei explains why presidential limit should be increased to 7 years

Speaking on Citizen TV's Monday Report show, Senator Cherargei argued that the current term limit of five years is not sufficient for an elected President to deliver on his mandate and promises to Kenyans.

According to the Nandi Senator, the first year for the Presidency goes to waste due to post-election eventualities such as election petitions and making appointments of individuals who will be part of government.

Cherargei went ahead to note that the final year also ends up being consumed by re-election campaigns, thus leaving the President with only three years to fully deliver on his pledges.

He thus maintains that the presidential term limit should be seven years.

"Normally in Kenya one year after assuming office you go through the Supreme Court litigations then issues of settling down like Cabinet appointments and realigning your government.... Then the fifth year the country goes back to campaign mode. Even statistics have shown the economy does badly on that year. So you only have three years to work for the people," said Cherargei.

He added: "I think if you give 7 years as the term limit for the President, you minus the two (one in settling and one during the campaigning period) you will get 5 years which all Kenyans are arguing about."

The Nandi Senator also clarified that the proposal is a personal opinion and should not be perceived as a position of the ruling UDA Party to which he belongs.

Cherargei made the proposal in a memorandum to the bipartisan talks team led by Azimio's Kalonzo Musyoka and Kenya Kwanza's Kimani Ichung'wah.

The proposal has been vehemently opposed across the political divide.