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Reduce elected leaders' term to 4 years - Machakos DG Mwangangi

The former Yatta MP said elected leaders' term should be reduced by one year

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by JAMES MBAKA

News27 October 2024 - 09:50
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In Summary


  • Mwangangi said the debate about term extensions is diversionary and aimed at hurting Kenyans.
  • He called on the clergy to pray for Kenyans and politicians during such difficult moments.


Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has opposed the clamour to amend the Constitution to extend the term of elected leaders from five to seven years.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has proposed a constitutional amendment to increase the term of elected leaders including the president, governors, MPs and MCAs.

Instead, Mwangangi said, the term of five years currently provided for in the Constitution should be slashed so that Kenyans have a shorter period to kick out rogue leaders.

The former Yatta MP said the push by a section of politicians to extend their term limits is unfortunate as the same should be reduced by one year.

"The talk about the extension of terms should be stopped, I will oppose that the term should be reduced to four years so that we have a shorter time to sort those rogue leaders,'' he said.

At the same time, Mwangangi appealed to the clergy to put the country and Kenyans in prayers because of the ongoing politics that threatened to divert the attention of Kenyans.

The DG said Kenyans risk suffering as politicians fight for their selfish interests that he said have put the country in deep suspense.

"The church, please pray for Kenyans and the country,'' Mwangangi said on Sunday.

The DG warned that the ensuing debate in the country over the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as deputy President is diversionary as politicians design deals.

The Machakos County Second in command regretted that the national government was giving contracts worth billions of shillings to an Indian Company yet Health is a devolved function.

"At the moment, counties have no money, what business does the national government have given a contract worth over Sh100 billion to Adan yet hospitals have no drugs and health is devolved?'' he posed.

The DG called on Kenyans to be vigilant and prayerful even as he appealed to the political class to serve the people diligently and defend the Constitution.

"We must all of us be committed to defending and protecting devolution and not killing what I believe is one of the best structures ever to benefit people at the grassroots,'' he said.

The National Government has come under sharp focus for failing to disburse money meant to support the 47 counties, threatening service delivery at the grassroots.






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