Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has sensationally claimed that President William Ruto is behind an alleged scheme to scrap Kenya’s constitutional term limits and extend his stay in power for decades.
Speaking during a podcast interview aired Friday, Onyonka alleged that Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei was being used as the face of a covert plan to alter the constitution in favor of indefinite presidential rule.
“First of all, it’s true, the thing has been under the table, and it was hidden from us until the gazette notice for the bill was tabled in the Senate when Cherargei began talking about it,” Onyonka said.
“I think the president wants to remove the term limits and rule Kenya, maybe for 30 years. To do that, he has to come out and tell MPs to bring the motion through the back door.”
The Kisii Senator further claimed that some governors were sympathetic to the push, arguing that if the presidency could go beyond two terms, then county bosses should equally not be restricted.
Onyonka suggested that the Kenya Kwanza administration, aware of its waning popularity, was eyeing a constitutional amendment not just to scrap term limits but also to extend the current presidential term by an additional two years.
“They want more time to clean up the mess they have created and guarantee themselves re-election,” he said.
The remarks come just days after the Senate dismissed reports of a presidential term extension bill.
In a statement issued earlier this week, the Senate leadership insisted no such proposal was scheduled for debate, stressing that an attempt to introduce the motion was quickly abandoned after encountering strong resistance.
“The so-called bill never saw the light of day,” the statement read.
“The Senate has no plans to alter the constitutional provisions on presidential term limits.”
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei speaking during debate session.
Senator Cherargei, a close ally of President Ruto, has in the past publicly floated the idea of extending the presidential term limit, arguing it would provide continuity for government projects.
His remarks sparked outrage across the political divide, with civil society groups warning that tampering with term limits could destabilize the country’s democratic foundation.
President Ruto himself has not publicly addressed Onyonka’s fresh claims.
Onyonka’s allegations add to growing political tension as the country inches closer to the 2027 general elections.
Opposition leaders have consistently accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of harboring authoritarian ambitions, while ruling party loyalists dismiss such claims as fear-mongering.
For now, the debate over term limits remains politically charged, with the government under pressure to clarify its position amid a storm of suspicion.
Alleged Scheme Used Fake Victims to Divert Millions from Boeing Compensation Fund
In what could become one of Kenya’s most shocking corruption scandals, Murang’a Governor Dr. Irungu Kang’ata stands accused of orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme involving the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash that claimed 157 lives.
A Nation Media Group investigation has uncovered disturbing evidence suggesting the governor, while serving as Senator, may have used his own staff to pose as relatives of crash victims to potentially access millions in compensation funds.
The Tragic Crash
On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737-8 aircraft, crashed near Bishoftu shortly after takeoff from Bole International Airport, killing all aboard.
Among the victims were 36 Kenyans—32 holding Kenyan passports and four with dual citizenship.
The disaster left families devastated and triggered massive litigation against Boeing.
How the Alleged Scheme Worked
At the center of the controversy is a petition submitted to the Senate in 2019, ostensibly by eight individuals claiming to have lost family members in the crash.
The petition’s opening line stated: “On March 10, 2019, we lost our family members in the ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines crash.”
The petitioners claimed they hadn’t received “basic support for counselling” or been able to “retrieve our loved ones’ remains for burial.”
They also alleged difficulties obtaining death certificates.
In a stunning revelation, these eight petitioners were employees working under then-Senator Kang’ata.
Two of them—Davis Mburu Karanja and another who cannot be named due to a legal injunction—confirmed this in a November 2024 letter to the Senate Clerk, stating: “All the eight petitioners were employees of the former Senator for Murang’a County.”
The Senate Connection
When the petition was presented to the Senate, it was initially assigned to the National Security committee but was later transferred to the Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights committee—where Dr. Kang’ata was a member.
This unusual transfer raises questions about potential manipulation of the process.
During a Senate session on July 2, 2019, Dr. Kang’ata acknowledged his connection to the petitioners: “I am one of the lawyers who are handling that matter. Secondly, indeed, the petitioners behind this petition are personally known to me.”
He admitted advising them to submit the petition but claimed he “did not want to participate in person, because of potential conflict of interest issues.”
What he failed to disclose was that these petitioners were his employees.
The American Connection
What followed was equally troubling.
A delegation including Dr. Kang’ata and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei traveled to Seattle, USA, on taxpayers’ money, ostensibly to investigate issues raised in the petition.
When the committee finally presented its report—853 days after the petition was filed—it contained no recommendations whatsoever.
This prompted outrage from several senators.
Then Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula remarked: “It’s distressing to hear that they spent public resources to go to Seattle in the US and then bring no finding.”
Vihiga Senator George Khaniri questioned: “I want to know why the committee had to take a trip to Seattle to establish if death certificates were issued or not in Kenya.”
The False Claims
NTV’s investigations revealed disturbing inconsistencies in the petitioners’ claims.
When the reporters visited the homes of petitioners Eliud Maina Wanja and Noah Gachucha Gachanja in Murang’a County, neighbors and family members expressed shock at their names being connected to the crash.
At Mr. Maina’s home in Matharite village, an elderly woman named Jane Njeri reacted with surprise: “Kwa hii boma? Sijawahi sikia (In this home? I’ve never heard).”
The area assistant chief also denied any death having occurred from the Ethiopian accident.
Similarly, at Mr. Gachucha’s home in Karung’e village, his younger brother Stanley Kamau was visibly shocked, stating he had never heard of a family burial related to a plane crash victim.
One of the petitioners, Davis Mburu Karanja, who has since left the governor’s employment, now claims: “I don’t know even how my name got on the petition.”
He questioned the improbable coincidence: “How come all the staff were united in one tragedy?”
Lawyer Suyianka Lempaa, representing Karanja, told our team: “My client denies that he was ever called by the committee.” He added that Mr. Karanja “did not have any relative on that flight.”
The Compensation Question
Dr. Kang’ata has confirmed representing some legitimate victims’ families in legal action against Boeing.
He told the Nation in July 2024 that he formed a consortium with US-based lawyers (Ribbeck Law) “to sue Boeing” and claimed that one Kenyan family received as much as Sh1 billion in compensation.
Ribbeck Law Chartered Founding Partner Manuel von Ribbeck (left) In Kenya. March 2021.
Boeing has already issued an apology for the crashes and paid substantial sums to compensate victims’ families.
According to Dr. Kang’ata, victims’ families were paid twice: first by the aircraft’s insurer and then by Boeing.
What remains unclear is whether the eight Senate staffers who filed the petition received any compensation from these funds, and if Dr. Kang’ata benefited from such claims.
When approached by the Nation, Dr. Kang’ata insisted off-record that no money came from the petition by his eight employees.
The Nation contacted Boeing regarding whether any of these eight names were presented for compensation.
Boeing’s corporate media manager Leslie Thomson referred inquiries to the Ethiopian Accident Investigation Bureau, which had not responded by press time.
Legal Implications
According to lawyer Lempaa, the legal issues arising from this questionable petition could include “forgery and uttering false documents,” adding that “probably, there are other crimes committed under international law.”
If substantiated, these allegations could have severe consequences.
Filing false claims for compensation from an international disaster fund would potentially constitute wire fraud under U.S. law, which carries penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
The Governor’s Response
When confronted with these questions on March 27, Dr. Kang’ata responded off-record, expressing concern about self-incrimination and suggesting he was being politically targeted.
“Juxtaposing my name or my legal practice with claims of any irregular payments from the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash shall be deemed to be malicious, defamatory and intended to injure my standing…” he wrote in a March 28 email.
It’s important to note that the NTV’s investigation found no concrete evidence that the eight claimants received compensation from Boeing or that Dr. Kang’ata personally gained from the petition.
However, the circumstances surrounding the petition, the Seattle trip, and the inconsistencies in the petitioners’ claims raise serious concerns that warrant thorough investigation.
Broader Implications
This case stands as a stark example of potential abuse of public office and exploitation of a tragedy that claimed 157 innocent lives.
If proven, it would represent not just a betrayal of the genuine victims’ families but also a profound breach of public trust.
As this story continues to develop, questions remain about what action Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission might take, whether international authorities could become involved, and what this means for the future of Dr. Kang’ata’s political career.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on NMG’s reporting conducted over several months. We acknowledge that no formal charges have been filed at this time, and the accused deserves the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
A new bill seeking to extend the terms of the President and all elected leaders from five to seven years has been published.
This proposed law sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei aims to increase the terms of service for the President, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), and governors to seven years. Currently, Kenyans elect their leaders every five years.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set for its first reading in the Senate.
“The bill proposes to amend Article 136 of the Constitution, which provides for the election of the President, to increase the term of President from five years to seven years,” reads part of the Bill.
It also amends Articles 101, 177, and 180 to extend the terms of MPs, senators, MCAs, and governors.
Discussions around constitutional amendments began in November 2022 when a UDA legislator proposed removing the presidential term limit.
Fafi MP Salah Yakub suggested replacing it with an age limit of 75 years, but this proposal did not gain traction.
The Constitution currently limits the presidential term to two five-year terms.
Additionally, the bill introduces the office of the Prime Minister, mirroring proposals made in the National Dialogue Committee and the Building Bridges Initiative reports.
The bill states that the President shall appoint the Prime Minister from among members of Parliament, specifying, “The Prime Minister shall be the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament.”
To enhance the Senate’s powers, the bill assigns it the exclusive mandate to vet certain state officers.
“This bill therefore seeks to increase the parliamentary role of the Senate by addressing the issues that have hampered the implementation of the constitution,” the Bill reads in part.
Limited role
The Senate has often been perceived as having a limited role compared to the National Assembly.
Specifically, the bill proposes amendments to Articles 152, 156, 157, 166, 215, 228, 229, 245, and 250.
This will allocate the responsibility of approving the appointment of various state officers between the Senate and the National Assembly.
Under the new proposal, the Senate will vet and approve appointments for Cabinet secretaries, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief Justice, and judges, as well as for the chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation, the Controller of Budget, the Auditor General, members of the Public Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police, and members of constitutional commissions.
Currently, these state officers are vetted solely by the National Assembly. The bill also amends Article 229 to ensure that the Auditor General submits annual expenditure estimates directly to Parliament for approval.
While the Senate gains new responsibilities, the National Assembly will maintain its role in vetting high commissioners, ambassadors, and diplomatic representatives.
The proposal designates the Senate as the appropriate forum for filing petitions to remove members of constitutional commissions or independent officeholders, a shift from the current process that relies on the National Assembly.
“The principal object of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is to amend the Constitution to, among others, expand the mandate of the Senate,” the proposed law reads.
Moreover, the bill seeks to amend Article 58 to require involvement from both the Senate and the National Assembly when approving an extension of a state of emergency.
It emphasises that “a state of emergency affects the stability and functioning of the nation as a whole including county governments,”
Furthermore, both Houses of Parliament must now approve the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces in any part of the country, a process that is currently approved solely by the National Assembly.
The bill also proposes that any legislation, except for money bills, which must originate in the National Assembly can start in either House of Parliament.
Additionally, it aims to amend Article 181 of the Constitution regarding the procedures for the removal of a county governor or deputy governor.
Under this proposal, any challenge to a governor’s impeachment by the Senate can only be addressed at the Supreme Court, which must resolve the case within 30 days.
Presently, such matters begin at the High Court.
The proposed legislation increases the percentage of the equitable share of revenue allocated to counties from the current 15 per cent to 40 per cent.
“The bill seeks to strengthen devolution by aligning the roles and functions of Parliament and all entities at the national and county levels of government in a manner that would promote the effective administration of the devolved system of governance,” the proposed law reads.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has threatened to sue X (formerly Twitter) for denying him access to his account after being locked out in November.
In a petition he raised against the company in the senate, Cherargei has accused the media platform owned by American billionaire Elon Musk of infringing on his rights.
He threatened legal action against the company over “infringement of my ability to serve Kenyans and malicious actions that violate my freedom”.
“I believe X Corporation’s, formerly Twitter, actions warrant an investigation by the Kenyan Government and this Parliament and require diplomatic engagement with the American government,” Cherargei said in a hard-hitting statement on the floor of the House.
The legislator says he has been unable to access his account for unknown reasons and last tweeted on 23, November 2023.
He says his efforts to regain control of his account that currently has over 329,000 followers has been futile.
Through his lawyers, the legislator has already sent a demand letter to the social media firm.
In the letter dated February 8, 2024, is addressed to X Corp Chief Executive Officer, Linda Yaccaniro, and Head of Legal, Julian Moore, Cherargei demanded immediate restoration of his access rights.
“Take notice, the undersigned herein is under strict instructions to use our partners to file a civil claim in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Carlifornia and seek for an award of damages,” the letter states.
He further accuses the company of orchestrating his blocking, “Through a Coordinated social engineering attack, on or about November 19, 2023, circa 11am, my client was forcefully logged out from your platform “X” rendering the “@scherargei” impervious to him,” the letter reads in part.
Kenyan Senator Cherargei has requested a detailed report from ICT CS Eliud Owalo on government action mechanisms and recourse for Kenyans facing similar challenges.
He also wants Owalo to initiate communication with X Corporation, condemn the violation of Kenyan law, and emphasize ethical and responsible multinational tech companies.
“If a sitting senator can experience this, it raises questions about how Kenyan citizens and African citizens would be treated in similar circumstances. We cannot allow multinational corporations to operate with impunity,” he said.
Africa Uncensored chief executive and founder John-Allan Namu who is the first witness to appear before the Senate Agriculture Committee revealed that some influential political leaders both outside and inside parliament reached out to him in attempts to convince him not to air an exclusive story on fake fertiliser scandal being witnessed.
According to Namu, his organisation has been carrying out wide investigation on public procurement since 2018 and that the fake fertiliser scandal cuts across the Uhuru Kenyatta and the William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza’s administrations.
Namu was categorical that investigative bodies should look at the issue of complacency among senior officials of state agencies since the issue did not raise concerns among the relevant actors all this time.
“I would like to inform this committee that politicians across the political divide might have been involved in this fake fertiliser conspiracy, some of them even reached out to me seeking to have African Uncensored not to air this story where the majority of those affected are small scale farmers,” said Namu.
He said he was ready to provide evidence about the politicians who approached him to kill his story, and was ready to appear in court. He told the committee the report looked at public procurement since 2018 and that the fake fertiliser scandal cut across the previous and current administrations.
Committee chairman Kirinyaga Senator James Murango said Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and the chief executive officers of Kenya Bureau of Standards and Kenya National Trading Corporation will appear before it to shed light on prevalent claims of fake farm inputs.
Murango said the Auditor General, National Environment Management Authority CEO and the individuals mentioned adversely in an expose launched by media investigations team; the African Uncensored, have been invited to appear before the committee to clear the air about the well-executed scandal.
Murango while terming the fraud as akin to terrorism, charged that action must be taken against the unscrupulous individuals who have not only embarrassed the Kenya Kwanza administration but also posed a threat to food security.
Samson Cherargei (Nandi) said that the roles of National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Nema, KNTC and Kebs in the fake fertiliser scandal should be investigated further since it appears there was a well-organised criminal enterprise.
“The organisation that has been mentioned adversely by Africa Uncensored for making fake fertiliser has been carrying out its activities openly, the relevant state agencies should come and explain to us why they failed on their duties, heads must roll over this,” said Cherargei.
Namu told the committee that Kebs and Nema have no capacity to deal with the fake fertiliser scandal since they have staff shortages. He said that creates a lapse which some unscrupulous individuals have exploited.
The journalist said he has now been vindicated by the current outcry by Kenyans from various parts of the country. “I would like to tell my fellow journalists that they should not be cowed when they are pursuing stories of public interest like the one we did on fake fertiliser, they should stand up to be counted when fighting for the public good,” said Namu.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has thrown his weight behind the demand to summon Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba before the National Assembly.
This move is in response to disturbing allegations of mismanagement and neglect towards Kenyan athletes, leaving the nation’s sports representatives feeling undervalued and overlooked.
Cherargei expressed his concerns on social media, echoing Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah’s sentiments, who initially proposed summoning Namwamba.
The core accusation centers around officials within the Sports ministry prioritizing personal interests, particularly relationships, over the needs of the nation’s top sports ambassadors.
The senator highlighted the disturbing claim that ministry officials have accompanied “girlfriends” on overseas trips, while athletes, who bring glory to the country, lack proper recognition and support.
Cherargei passionately articulated his concerns in a tweet, questioning the officials’ actions and calling for accountability.
“How can ministry officials fly first class with their girlfriends to Olympics Budapest, Hungary at the expense of our athletes? Our female athletes being exploited sexually & economically! Parliament must summon CS sports to avert disastrous mismanagement of our sports!”
These allegations have resonated with many, including Kimani Ichung’wah, who expressed disappointment during a House sitting.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei [P/People Daily]
Ababu Namwamba Not Celebrating Kenyan Athletes
Ichung’wah criticized the Sports ministry for failing to celebrate and support Kenyan athletes who achieve remarkable international success.
He passionately stated, “To make matters worse they go represent our country out there, they win, come back and not a single minister from the ministry and the minister himself has the decency to receive them at the airport or even to recognize the good work they have done for our country.”
Ichung’wah’s words underscore the sentiment that ministers should prioritize the welfare and recognition of the sportsmen and women who bring honor to the nation.
Just because Ferdinand Omanyala finished 7th at Budapest a section of Kenyans are putting him off! They now don't see where he has come from!!!
He chastised Namwamba for allegedly neglecting responsibilities and indulging in privileges afforded by his position. “You are not made a minister in this country to fly flags in the streets and bulldoze your way through traffic with Subaru escorts,” Ichung’wah asserted.
Furthermore, Ichung’wah pointed out that Namwamba’s actions extend beyond mere oversight, suggesting that the Cabinet Secretary has been traveling with individuals he referred to as “joyriders,” who seemingly lack the competence required for their roles.
This revelation further adds to the frustration of those demanding accountability, as such actions cast a shadow over the hard-won victories of the nation’s athletes.
