Members of Parliament have thrown out a proposal that would have locked Opposition leader Raila Odinga out of the 2022 presidential race.
Mohammed Sheikh, a resident of Wajir County had presented a petition before the National Assembly seeking to have the Constitution amended to bar Kenyans above 70 years from running for presidency.
National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Baringo North MP William Cheptumo in a report said the proposal is discriminatory. The committee further noted that political offices are unique and shouldn’t have retirement age.
“The prayer to amend Article 137 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 on the qualifications for legibility to run for election as president and to set the retirement age of the President at the age of 70 years be disallowed as it is discriminatory,” says the report.
“Certain State officers such as Judges and Magistrates are subjected to a retirement age except political offices because these unique offices of leadership and wisdom, both traits that advances with age,” states the report.
MPs allied to the Opposition had earlier dismissed the proposal to introduce a cap on age limit for presidential candidates, terming it a scheme to lock out Odinga from the 2022 race.
“To require that such persons cannot run for political office owing to their age would be tantamount to discriminations,” adds the report.
“Indeed some elder members of society are fruitful and very productive in their old age,” notes the report.
This issue of age can be…
This issue of age can be solved very quickly with a scholastic test. All presidential candidated should take this well measured test that would give us some indication on their mental acumen,and alertness.I say this because the assumption is that “seniors” brains have deteriorated with age,and thus not quick to grasp material,or make sound judgement.Well not all seniors are created equal.
Yes, presidency of acountry is unique position that calls for sound judgement, balanced,and well measured response to social issues,not quick to anger, wisdom, courage, leadership skills,and above all a person in integrity.Age notwithstanding,Kenyan with asound mind who possesses those aforementioned attributed should run for that post.
Old or Young President:…
Old or Young President: WISDOM and Good CHARACTER should be the way to Go. And I don’t see Either of the 2 Virtues in UhuRuto. Not any; NADA!
Since we like following the…
Since we like following the West, lets remember that in the West, retirement age is when the retirement system starts paying retirement benefits. The employees continue working, but can retire as they wish. Its called double dipping. They don’t force productive personnel to retirement simply because of their age, that would be age based discrimination.
@Imkogoogo,Ithink it should…
@Imkogoogo,Ithink it should be up to the employer and the employee to decide that. Certainly at one point an employee will be less productive,may be sickly,at any event, the employer should sit with the employee and decided when one wants to retire.So long as one if mutually beneficial to the other why should a state sanction aretirement age?
There are many ways of…
There are many ways of removing under performers. Retirement age is not for that purpose.
In Kenya it is…
In Kenya it is…
A lifeline for bwana…
A lifeline for bwana Handshake…. But I hope the next time he loses he will be older and wiser not to cause another crisis like in 2007 and 2017.