A petition to introduce the age limit for presidential candidates has been admitted in parliament.

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The proposal seeks to limit the age of presidential candidates to 70 years.

The petition is being sponsored by a Mohammed Sheikh from Wajir County and it has received opposition from a section of politicians.

The petition came under attack when it was relayed in parliament on Wednesday with some MPs terming it a mischievous attempt to lock out Opposition leader Raila Odinga from the 2022 presidential elections. 

A section of the MPs called on Speaker Justin Muturi not to admit the petitions.

“This motion will only be a waste of Parliament time. It is in bad faith and a mischievous way to lock out one Kenyan from seeking the presidency. In the spirit of the handshake, we should not spoil the mood by introducing such a mischievous petition,” said Endebess MP Robert Pukose. 

Speaker Muturi however, directed the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to consider the petition and file their report in the House. 

“We cannot take away the right of any Kenyan as specifically stated in the Constitution,” said Muturi. 

The leader of minority John Mbadi opposed the petition but said that the petitioner should be given time to argue his case.