The United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Kenya’s ruling party, has strongly condemned a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to extend the presidential term limit, branding the initiative as “self-serving” and “regressive.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, UDA expressed its disappointment after one of its own elected leaders tabled a Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The bill aims to alter the constitutional limits governing elective office terms, including the presidency, which currently stands at two five-year terms.
“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,” the UDA said in its statement signed by Secretary General Ben Hassan Omar Hassan.
The party noted that the proposed amendment threatens the democratic principles entrenched in the 2010 Constitution, which Kenyans overwhelmingly voted for. The UDA highlighted the importance of term limits in ensuring that leadership remains accountable and preventing the consolidation of power by any one individual or group. The introduction of the bill has sparked outrage within the party, as it stands in stark contrast to the UDA’s stated commitment to uphold Kenya’s constitutional values.
The UDA leadership was unequivocal in its rejection of the bill, distancing itself from the leader who proposed the amendment and calling for internal discipline among its members. “The masterminds and sponsors of the constitutional amendment bill, who are evidently preoccupied with sensational distractions and perverse indulgence in political delinquency and legislative mischief, have not engaged in sufficient reflection with regard to the historical origins, institutional basis, and political necessity of term limits,” the statement read.
The bill has ignited a broader conversation about the preservation of democratic norms in Kenya. Since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, term limits have been seen as a critical safeguard against authoritarianism, providing Kenyans with regular opportunities to hold their leaders accountable. UDA emphasized that the constitutional provision for term limits is not just a legal requirement but also a reflection of the nation’s collective commitment to a progressive democratic system.
“The party disassociates itself from the repugnant and backward bill and calls any of its rank and file who leads, supports, or is in any manner whatsoever involved with it, to order,” Hassan stated, underscoring that the proposed amendment is “incompatible with our policy and aspirations.”
This strong rebuke comes at a time when the UDA faces increasing pressure to consolidate its support base ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ruling party, which swept to power in 2022, has positioned itself as a champion of democratic governance and economic reform. However, this internal schism over term limits could be seen as a test of its resolve to maintain its democratic commitments.
Kenya’s recent political history has been shaped by hard-fought constitutional changes that brought about significant reforms, including term limits. These reforms were widely seen as essential in moving the country beyond an era marked by political instability and concentration of power. In its statement, the UDA invoked these historical struggles, stating that the party “remembers the lessons of our nation’s history” and is committed to safeguarding the democratic gains made since the introduction of the 2010 Constitution.
