Senators warned against term limit bill, urged to focus on priorities

Pundits and political commentators are warning Senators against the proposal to increase their term to seven years, even as confusion rages following a counter proposal to reduce the period to four years. 
This comes as the Senate awaits feedback from the public on Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei’s motion to switch the presidential and legislative terms from five to seven years and just a day after Kiambu’s Karungo wa Thangwa tabled his version that seeks to reduce it by a year.
Cherargei’s bill raises critical questions about governance, accountability, and the democratic process, while Thangwa’s throws a spanner into the works as it is viewed as a reactionary move that is born out of the fallout over the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President.
Proponents of extending the term argue that longer terms would allow elected officials to gain valuable experience and develop more comprehensive policy initiatives.
“Seven years will enable the president to have a good opportunity to deliver his manifesto,” Cherargei said, adding that because of persistent electoral disputes, including presidential election results that are contested in court, it takes at least two years for the elected president to settle down.
“With more time in office, legislators can build deeper relationships with their constituents and other officials, which can lead to more effective collaboration and better outcomes,” says Nyangaresi Ogega,a teacher who supports the bill.
Proponents also point to the potential for increased voter engagement. With longer terms, they argue, elected officials would have the opportunity to focus on outreach and education rather than constant campaigning. 
“When politicians are not perpetually in election mode, they can prioritize their duties to the public over fundraising and campaign strategy,” explains Cherargei.
The proposal has garnered substantial opposition, critics arguing that extending term limits could entrench incumbency, make it more difficult for new voices and ideas to emerge in the political landscape and reduce accountability..
 Sheila Olang, a governance expert warns that “lengthening term limits could diminish the electoral competition that is vital for a healthy democracy”. 
“We risk creating a political class that is disconnected from the electorate,” she says.
“This is a political suicide.Trying to have a conversation about changing the term limit to seven years is a recipe for disaster. There has to be a sense of shame from our elected leader.
 “With seven years in office, politicians might feel less pressure to respond to their constituents’ needs. Shorter terms ensure that officials remain aware of the public’s concerns and can be removed if they fail to deliver.” 
Bobby Mkangi, a constitutional lawyer, says because it is one that must be subjected to a referendum, Kenyans will decide, if it ever gets to that point. 
“The timing, good or bad, depends on how each proposal is received. If it goes through the conveyer belt and Citizens finally approve it, then the timing can be deemed good, and a reflection of the broad consensus on the issue, and vice versa, if citizens reject it” he observes.
Mkangi argues that beyond that, good practice, and what appears to be the global consensus, is for governments or administrations to be subjected to elections within four to five years, and the number of terms that the heads can serve to be limited. 
“A case study – the USA, 50 states, population of over 300 million, and its global economic, cultural, political, and military hegemony, making its head of government who is deemed the ‘leader of the free world’, is given a maximum of 8 years, broken into two maximum terms of four years each, to implement his/her mandate,” he said.
“With such a comparison, I think that five years (maximum of 10) is more than enough for the President of the Republic of Kenya.”
Another significant concern relates to the potential for corruption. With longer terms, critics fear that politicians may develop closer ties with lobbyists and special interest groups, undermining the integrity of the political process. 
“Increased time in office could create opportunities for quid pro quo arrangements that compromise the interests of the public,” warns Senator Thangwa as he drums up support for his own bill.
Thangwa, a first-term Senator who has accused the Senate of impeaching Gachagua against the rules of natural justice, terms the extension bid as a blatant disregard of rule of law, wishes and aspirations of Kenyans. 
“Can you tolerate Shenanigans that are happening for another year, let  alone 7 years that someone is proposing,” he posed? 
“I ask Kenyans to come out and oppose this move.” 
Given the potential to heavily polarize the country, some experts advocate for a middle ground. “Rather than a blanket increase to seven years, we might consider staggered term limits that allow for both continuity and fresh perspectives,” suggests political pundit Javas Bigambo. 
“This could involve extending terms slightly while ensuring that no official remains in power for too long.”
Bigambo proposes that any extension of term limits should be coupled with stricter accountability measures, such as increased transparency in public finance management and harsh policies to deal with corruption. 
“If we extend terms, we need to ensure that we are also protecting the democratic process from undue influence.”
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah asserts that legislators should focus on priority issues like contentious university funding model, opaqueness in public tenders and corruption. 
“I urge elected officials to focus on development issues as of now. There’s a huge public outcry on the health system, education and projects tendering. It’s unfortunate that some of the legislators see nothing wrong with how things are,” he noted.
“We should know who Adani is, many things are wrong. Save Kenya from economic vultures.”
The debate over this bill serves as a microcosm of broader discussions about governance, representation, and the evolving nature of democracy in Kenya 
As experts from various fields weigh in, the need for an informed and engaged electorate becomes increasingly urgent. 
Ultimately, the decision to extend term limits must balance the benefits of experience and stability against the necessity of accountability and fresh representation. 
Engagement in this dialogue is crucial, as the outcomes of such legislation will shape the political landscape for years to come. 
Whether through public forums, academic discourse, or grassroots movements, the voices of the electorate will play a vital role in determining the future of term limits in Kenyan governance.