President Kenyatta insists he has no intention to extend his stay in power beyond 2022 when his constitutional two-term presidential limit will expire.
While responding to questions during a virtual meeting with US think-tank the Atlantic Council, Uhuru confirmed he does not intend to cling to power by amending the constitution.
“It is unfortunate that some people have interpreted the scenario of a referendum to change the Constitution, to mean that certain individuals want to change that Constitution to extend the presidential term,” said Uhuru.
“I can tell you, if there is one thing that Kenyans are very, very clear about is the two-term limit. Kenyans are very clear about it and they have been clear about it since 1992 when we introduced multipartism. And there’s been no single president that has broken that and I don’t intend to be the first.”
He clarified that his quest for a referendum to introduce changes to the constitution is meant to achieve national cohesion and end recurrent divisive elections.
Uhuru further dismissed claims that he will seek to serve as the country’s Prime Minister once his term as president ends.
“In our time of multiparty politics, we have had tremendous tensions every election cycle. My partnership with Hon. Raila was to see if we can get to understand the issues that drive these tensions through the consultative BBI forums,” he said.
“I have no clue whether there is going to be a premiership in the Constitution. You see, these are the questions that people are now posing. I gave you a very clear synopsis of the areas where people are interested in. They are interested in the value of their vote, they are interested in the distribution of resources, and they are interested in inclusivity in government.”
“All I can say is that the office that exists today, is the Office of the President. The President of the Republic of Kenya. Our constitution is very clear: that a President serves for two terms. I am now in my second term. No president has broken that; I don’t intend to do it,” he added.
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