NAIROBI, Kenya – Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has reignited debate on presidential term limits, defending his controversial proposal to extend the term of office from five to seven years.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which sought to extend both presidential and parliamentary terms, was overwhelmingly rejected after intense public opposition.
President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and its allied lawmakers also distanced themselves from the plan.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview at Radio Generation, Cherargei insisted that longer terms would give leaders more time to deliver development instead of being distracted by endless campaigns.
“Every year, Kenya is in perpetual campaign mode; we have never stopped since 2022. Some leaders, when declared winners, the next day they have started campaigning for a seat. There is a bad habit. Could it be the reason why we don’t have serious development, because we are doing too much politicking?” he said.
The senator argued that five years was too short for meaningful development, adding that the reform would serve “posterity” rather than current office holders.
His remarks come a day after the controversial 2024 proposal resurfaced online, sparking widespread public outrage.
Many Kenyans on social media warned that extending term limits would undermine democratic gains enshrined in the 2010 Constitution and entrench leaders in power.
The Bill had sought to amend Article 101 to extend MPs’ terms and Article 136 to stretch the presidential term to seven years.
Amid the uproar, the Senate issued a statement clarifying that the proposal had already been rejected and was no longer under consideration.
Instead, lawmakers are currently focused on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to strengthen devolution.
“The Senate wishes to set the record straight: No Bill to extend term limits is under consideration. The 2024 proposal was rejected after overwhelming public opposition and has since been stood down,” the statement read.
Despite the rejection, Cherargei’s fresh defense of the idea is likely to keep the debate alive, especially as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.
