Two years before the passing of Kenya’s first President, Jomo Kenyatta, a faction of politicians from his Mt. Kenya stronghold, often labeled the “Kiambu mafia,” devised a controversial plan.
This group advocated for a constitutional amendment that would prevent the vice president from automatically succeeding the president upon the latter’s death.
Their campaign was fueled by a desire to block then-Vice President Daniel Moi, a Kalenjin from Baringo, from taking over the presidency.
As the political landscape shifted following the contentious 1974 general elections, the Kiambu mafia intensified their efforts, warning against the implications of Moi succeeding Kenyatta, who was visibly deteriorating in health.
The faction promoted the idea that the presidency should remain within the Kikuyu community, with coded language suggesting that the presidential motorcade should never cross the River Chania.
While there were rumors that Kenyatta did not favor Moi’s succession, political insiders later revealed that Kenyatta may have preferred a different path for leadership.
Senator Nathaniel Kalya, who was deeply involved in the political maneuvering of that era, noted in his memoir that Kenyatta dismissed the Kiambu group’s ambitions.
Despite this, the Kiambu faction persisted in their campaign against Moi.
The movement ultimately lost momentum after Attorney General Charles Njonjo issued a stark warning in 1977, stating that any plot against the president was a criminal offense.
This was shortly followed by Kenyatta’s own reaffirmation of Njonjo’s statement.
After Kenyatta’s death in August 1978, Moi ascended to the presidency and ruled for 25 years, often surprising critics who had predicted his quick downfall.
He consolidated power by changing the constitution to establish Kenya as a one-party state, effectively sidelining dissenters.
Nearly fifty years later, Kenya faces another contentious debate over constitutional amendments, this time involving President William Ruto.
His ally, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, has introduced a bill to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, along with similar extensions for governors and MPs.
This proposal has sparked a mixed reaction across the political spectrum, prompting public hearings in the Senate.
In contrast, Kiambu Senator Karung’o Thang’wa has called for a reduction in the presidential term to four years, advocating for increased accountability.
As discussions progress, the Senate is encouraging public participation, inviting citizens to voice their opinions on these significant changes.
Despite the growing support for Cherargei’s proposal, President Ruto has distanced himself from the initiative, emphasizing his commitment to upholding the constitution and discouraging any self-serving amendments.
The ruling party, UDA, has condemned the bill as misguided, asserting that it undermines democratic accountability.
Historically, this is not the first time there have been attempts to alter term limits in Kenya.
Previous proposals have been met with strong resistance from Ruto, who has consistently advocated for serving the public rather than pursuing personal political gain.
The political landscape remains fraught with tension as different factions vie for influence, reflecting the ongoing struggle over power dynamics in Kenya’s governance.
