Opposition MPs have began a silent but aggressive campaign to bring down plans to change the law to limit the presidential age limit, a move they say targets former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s political ambitions.
The MPs and Senators from the National Super Alliance (NASA), are influencing legislators and moreso those in Jubilee and support Raila’s peace deal with President Uhuru Kenyatta to help them prevent the move which is gaining momentum in some Jubilee strongholds.
Ruto is against the constitutional change , saying it is meant to reward some leaders. He has attacked Raila, saying he was insincere in his political moves. Pro-Raila MPs have described Ruto as Kenya’s worst enemy.
Raila had earlier indicated he was not keen on the 2022 presidency, saying he was busy on the "building bridges' campaign with President Uhuru. On Tuesday, the pro-Raila Mps raised the red flag over a petition seeking to cap the age limit for future presidential candidates, saying it was targeting aging politicians.
MPs Olago Aluoch (Kisumu West),Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), East),Rosa Buyu,(Kisumu Woman Rep), Gladys Wanga( Homa Bay Woman Rep), said age should not be an issue. Others against the age limit are Bondo MP Gedion Ochanda, Shakeel Shabbir,(Kisumu East) Fred Ouda (Kisumu Central), Uriri MP Mark Nyamita and Rongo MP Paul Abuor.
The legislators termed the age limit plans as a ploy to block some aging politicians, albeit, without directly naming them from running for Presidency in 2022.
Many MPs shared his view in the affirmative. Ochanda and Wanga claimed that laws are made for posterity but not for individuals.
Wiper party leader has Kalonzo Musyoka,65, who is eligible to run. President Kenyatta is 57 and he is serving his second and final term in office, although recently Cotu Boss Francis Atwoli stoked debate when he claimed he was too young to retire. Deputy President William Ruto is 51, while Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi is 57. Ford-Kenya boss Moses Wetang’ula is 56.