NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s Senate email system crashed under the weight of public feedback following widespread backlash to a proposed constitutional amendment extending political terms.
The bill, introduced by Senator Samson Cherargei, suggests extending presidential, county governor, and Member of Parliament terms from five to seven years, alongside other substantial changes like creating a prime ministerial position and increasing funding to county governments.
With an unprecedented wave of public response, the Senate’s communication system reportedly exceeded its 200,000-email limit, forcing officials to offer an alternative address for feedback.
“Due to high volumes… our email system has temporarily experienced issues,” the Senate posted on X, thanking the public for their submissions.
Kenyans took to social media to voice their disapproval, organizing campaigns condemning the proposal.
Many argue that the extension would disrupt democratic norms and prolong the political class’s grip on power.
Even President William Ruto’s party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), distanced itself, with Secretary-General Hassan Omar labeling the proposal “repugnant and backward.”
Senator Cherargei defended the bill, asserting that a seven-year term would allow leaders more time to deliver on promises.
Yet, this justification appears to hold little sway with the public, which remains acutely sensitive to perceived power grabs, particularly amid rising living costs and escalating skepticism toward lawmakers.
The bill now moves to a Senate committee for review and is expected to face continued scrutiny from the public.
This is not the first attempt to alter presidential term limits; a similar proposal two years ago sought to impose an age cap of 75 rather than the current two-term limit, an initiative that failed under similar public opposition.
President Ruto, who himself criticized the proposal as “unnecessary and an exercise in futility” in previous instances, now faces a political atmosphere where citizens remain wary of any legislation that might extend politicians’ tenure in power.
With the memory of June’s protests against rising taxes—demonstrations that turned violent and resulted in over 40 fatalities—public patience with political maneuvering appears strained, setting the stage for further contention over the proposed legislation.
The bill, introduced by Senator Samson Cherargei, suggests extending presidential, county governor, and Member of Parliament terms from five to seven years, alongside other substantial changes like creating a prime ministerial position and increasing funding to county governments.
With an unprecedented wave of public response, the Senate’s communication system reportedly exceeded its 200,000-email limit, forcing officials to offer an alternative address for feedback.
“Due to high volumes… our email system has temporarily experienced issues,” the Senate posted on X, thanking the public for their submissions.
Kenyans took to social media to voice their disapproval, organizing campaigns condemning the proposal.
Many argue that the extension would disrupt democratic norms and prolong the political class’s grip on power.
Even President William Ruto’s party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), distanced itself, with Secretary-General Hassan Omar labeling the proposal “repugnant and backward.”
Senator Cherargei defended the bill, asserting that a seven-year term would allow leaders more time to deliver on promises.
Yet, this justification appears to hold little sway with the public, which remains acutely sensitive to perceived power grabs, particularly amid rising living costs and escalating skepticism toward lawmakers.
The bill now moves to a Senate committee for review and is expected to face continued scrutiny from the public.
This is not the first attempt to alter presidential term limits; a similar proposal two years ago sought to impose an age cap of 75 rather than the current two-term limit, an initiative that failed under similar public opposition.
President Ruto, who himself criticized the proposal as “unnecessary and an exercise in futility” in previous instances, now faces a political atmosphere where citizens remain wary of any legislation that might extend politicians’ tenure in power.
With the memory of June’s protests against rising taxes—demonstrations that turned violent and resulted in over 40 fatalities—public patience with political maneuvering appears strained, setting the stage for further contention over the proposed legislation.
