There has been debates doing rounds that President Uhuru Kenyatta should not retire as he is too young to leave politics and retire.
However the man on the top sit has come out clear saying that he will indeed retire once his term is over in 2022 and will not be forced or try to change the constitution to extend his tenure after his second and final term comes to end.
While speaking on Monday in an interview with CNN journalist Richard Quest, President Kenyatta said he is not interested in a third term in office despite the political undertones calling on him to remain in office longer.
While posing the question to President Kenyatta Quest asked, “Your term of office ends in 2022. You have said the Constitution prevents you from standing again. Are you trying to going to try and seek to change the Constitution?”
“I am not interested,” added Kenyatta when asked whether he would heed the call of those asking him to remain in office.
President Kenyatta went ahead to explain that the calls for a referendum from a section of political leaders is not about extending his tenure but reducing the cost of running the government.
“People are talking about Constitutional change not necessarily that they are desirous for the president to seek a third term but because of issues related to the cost of running this Constitution,” said Kenyatta.
The Head of State further defended the country’s relations with China saying measures are in place to control foreign debt.
He also dismissed claims that Kenya is over-borrowing from China adding that the State gets funds from other nations as well.
Uhuru cited the US, African Development Bank, France’s AfD, Japan, and the World Bank as some of the partners.
“I am not worried about us borrowing, my only worry would be if that debt goes to interfere with our current expenditure,” he said.
“Our focus for now is to close the infrastructure gap in terms of roads and railway lines while creating businesses and employment for our youth.”
Uhuru said: “We are familiar with all arguments about China and their loans, but why focus only on one lender when we have a mix of lenders like Japan, France and USA?”
He said Kenya is ready and willing to partner with any country that will help it achieve its development agenda.