The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has distanced itself from a controversial bill introduced by one of its elected leaders, seeking to amend the Constitution to extend the presidential term limits. In a strongly worded statement issued today, the party expressed deep disappointment and termed the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, as a “cynical, misguided, and self-serving” attempt to undermine democracy.
According to UDA’s Secretary General, Hassan Omar, the proposed amendment goes against the long-held desire of Kenyans to prevent political monopolies and maintain regular leadership accountability. He condemned the Bill, which he believes seeks to deny citizens their constitutional right to exercise sovereign power and hold leaders accountable by offering them periodic opportunities for new leadership.
“This Bill does not pursue any meaningful objectives beyond illegitimate, myopic, and retrogressive ends,” Omar stated. He criticized the masterminds behind the proposal, accusing them of engaging in “sensational distractions” and lacking a proper understanding of the political necessity of term limits. Omar emphasized that these limits were born out of Kenya’s historical struggle for constitutional change and the desire for a progressive, democratic society.
UDA highlighted the strides made since the enactment of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which has strengthened democratic institutions, deepened democracy, protected freedoms, and promoted economic prosperity. The party views any attempts to reverse these gains as a direct threat to the constitutional values that underpin the nation’s progress.
In the statement, Omar affirmed that the UDA Party disassociates itself from the Bill and called on any party members involved in supporting or promoting it to halt their involvement immediately. “The Bill is incompatible with our policies and aspirations,” he noted, adding that such “juvenile political experimentation and delinquent affront to our constitutional values” must be stopped.
The statement concludes with UDA reaffirming its commitment to upholding the Constitution and providing leadership toward actualizing the values and principles enshrined in it.
This development comes amid growing debate on constitutional reforms in the country, with many political observers warning that attempts to extend term limits could erode the democratic gains made over the past decade.
