Politicians from Mt Kenya region as well as Rift Valley may be barred from the presidency for up to 30 years if a new Bill is passed by parliament.
The petition is initiated by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Member of Parliament Zuleikha Juma, and if it goes through, the pridency will become a rotational position among Kenyan communities.
"All communities in the Country will have a chance to elect their leaders," she said.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, June 9, the nominated MP said the Bill was aimed at creating a balance for the country.
“The principle objective of this Bill is to amend Articles 137 and 142 of the constitution to provide rotational presidency to allow ethnic communities equal accessibility of top leadership and for regional balance,” the Bill read in part.
If the Bill is signed into law it will force the country into a referendum. With the Jubilee coalition having a majority in parliament its unlikely the bill will be passed.
"The proposed Bill will not affect other leadership positions like that of vice president and that for MPs, a Kikuyu can be deputy president for all those years. It doesn’t matter,” Juma said.
She said that the country has been under the leadership of only four presidents all coming from two communities.
The four presidents are Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. Current Deputy President William Ruto is the Jubilee endorsed President after H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta.