20110422 – AFRAN Kenya

President Mwaki Kibaki has no intention of running for another term, the government said yesterday.

The clarification came on a local daily, The Star, in its lead story claimed that the president, who is serving the last of constitutionally-allowed two terms, would consider running again if Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is barred by the ongoing ICC cases.

The newspaper quoted unnamed sources within the Office of the President as well as Environment minister John Michuki as supporting the third term bid for President Mwaki Kibaki. It claimed several informal meetings had been held by four officials to explore the third term possibility.

“President Mwai Kibaki does not intend to run for re-election, contrary to sensational and manufactured media reports. The President has served this country for most of his life and worked hard to ensure passage of a new constitution, which does not allow a person to serve more than two terms,” the President said in a statement through Government spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua.

“The government wishes citizens to know that there are no plans being hatched anywhere to extend the President’s term and media reports to that effect are cheap propaganda,” the President added.

The Constitution bars, in Section 12 (3) of the transitional Clauses, the President from running for the State House job at the next General Election expected next year.