Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei wants the presidential term extended from 5 to 7 years.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has stood by his controversial push to increase Kenya’s presidential term limit from five to seven years. Speaking on Radio Generation on Wednesday, Cherargei said longer terms would help leaders focus on development instead of endless campaigns.
“Kenya is in campaign mode every year. Some leaders start campaigning the day after they are declared winners. This could be why we see little meaningful development,” he stated.
He argued that five years is too short for leaders to fully execute their agendas and insisted that such changes would serve future generations better.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which proposed to extend both presidential and parliamentary terms, was dismissed following strong public resistance. Even President William Ruto’s UDA party and allied legislators distanced themselves from the plan.
The Bill had targeted Article 101 on MPs’ terms and Article 136 on the presidential term, seeking to move both from five to seven years.
Kenyans reacted angrily when the rejected Bill resurfaced online this week. Critics warned the idea would undermine the democratic gains secured in the 2010 Constitution. Many accused politicians of plotting to cling to power instead of tackling the economic and social hardships facing citizens.
The Senate later released a statement confirming the proposal had already been struck down due to overwhelming public opposition. It clarified that the current Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, only focuses on strengthening devolution and not on extending political terms.
