MPs Reject Bid to Set Age Limit for Presidential Candidates

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.