Parliament Quashes Claims That Constitution Amendment Bill 2025 Extends Ruto’s Term
Parliament has rubbished claims circulating online that a new bill seeks to extend the President and other leaders’ terms in office from five to seven years.
On Tuesday, the Senate issued a statement saying the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has no provisions that alter presidential, parliamentary, gubernatorial or county assembly terms.
According to the Senate, the reports were misleading and meant to stir emotions.
“This is not true. A review of the official Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025 shows that the claims being made are false,” the House said.
The statement came after a morning of intense social media debate where allegations of a secret plot to extend term limits sparked outrage and even calls for mass protests.
The Senate said none of the constitutional clauses dealing with elective positions have been touched in the proposed amendments.
What the Bill Really Proposes
Instead of extending leadership terms, the Bill seeks to strengthen devolution and the role of the Senate. Among its key goals is to reinforce bicameralism by having both the National Assembly and the Senate handle most bills.
The amendments also seek to expand the Senate’s powers in budget-making and state oversight. This includes having Senators approve key officers like the Controller of Budget and Auditor-General.
The Bill also proposes the creation of a County Assembly Fund. This fund will be constitutionally protected, ensuring financial independence for county assemblies and insulating them from interference.
Parliament urged Kenyans to be cautious when consuming online information, saying misinformation can cause unnecessary panic.
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Parliament Quashes Claims That Constitution Amendment Bill 2025 Extends Ruto’s Term