The Senate has moved swiftly to quell mounting speculation over the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025, dismissing claims that the proposed law seeks to extend presidential term limits or introduce the office of Prime Minister.
In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, September 9, the Senate clarified that the Bill does not touch on term limits for any elective positions, nor does it restructure Kenya’s executive arm.
“Nowhere in the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is there any proposal to extend the terms of office for the President, Governors, MPs, or MCAs from five to seven years. The Bill does not amend the articles of the Constitution that deal with term limits for these elective positions,” the statement read in part.
The clarification comes amid a wave of misinformation on social media suggesting that lawmakers were plotting to prolong their stay in office and create new executive seats.
Focus on Devolution, Not Power Games
According to the Senate, the real intent of the Bill is to entrench devolution and fortify the Senate’s role in governance. Key proposals include:
Strengthening bicameralism by requiring most bills to pass through both Houses of Parliament.
Expanding the Senate’s oversight role in the national budget.
Granting senators the power to vet and approve top constitutional office holders, including the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General.
Establishing a County Assembly Fund to guarantee the financial independence of county legislatures.
“This Bill focuses on fixing procedural issues in Parliament to better support county governments, not on altering term limits or the structure of the executive,” the Senate emphasized.
The Ghost of Cherargei’s Bill
Public suspicion stems largely from memories of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, introduced by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei in late 2024, which proposed extending presidential and other elective terms from five to seven years.
That attempt triggered a national uproar. During public participation, the Senate received 168,801 submissions — 99.99% of which opposed the extension. At a heated public hearing at KICC, nearly all stakeholders rejected the proposal, leaving only one in support.
Faced with such overwhelming disapproval, the Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee threw out the bill.
“Even if some amendments proposed in the bill had merit, parliamentary practice and court decisions prevent us from severing the condemned provisions. The Constitution demands that such amendments garner support from both the public and parliamentarians before passage,” committee chair Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei ruled.
UDA, Public Outcry Blocked Push
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) also distanced itself from Cherargei’s bill, blasting it as a betrayal of democratic principles.
“Of grave concern is that this cynical, profoundly misguided and self-serving Bill contravenes a long-held aspiration of the people of Kenya to retire the undemocratic entrenchment of unaccountable political monopolies,” UDA said in its statement.
Senate’s Plea: Stick to Facts
With the current Amendment Bill facing misrepresentation, the Senate urged Kenyans to sift fact from rumor.
“It’s crucial to read and verify information before sharing. The proposals are about reinforcing devolution and strengthening governance structures — not extending terms or creating new executive offices,” the Senate reiterated.
As Parliament prepares to debate the Bill, the message from the Senate is clear: Kenyans should expect reforms to improve checks and balances, not power grabs.
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