Cherargei: Term limits should be extended to allow long-term development
Cherargei said leaders often focus more on politics than delivering on development for the areas they represent.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has defended his previous proposal to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, saying the move would create more time for meaningful development.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which contained the proposal, was rejected following widespread public opposition, with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance and affiliated MPs distancing themselves from the initiative.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview at Radio Generation, Cherargei said leaders often focus more on politics than delivering on development for the areas they represent.
“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. We are wondering, could it be the reason why we don’t have serious development, could it be because we are doing too much politicking?” Cherargei said.
He added that five years is too short for leaders to fully implement their agenda, suggesting that some initiatives might only benefit future generations.
“I think five years is too short for people to concentrate on what they are doing. The beneficiary might not be in power now; they could be people in posterity. Some of these laws we do it for posterity,” said the Senator.
The discussion comes after concerns arose on Tuesday following the resurfacing of Cherargei’s 2024 proposal online, which reignited debate about extending term limits for both the presidency and Parliament.
The Bill sought to amend Article 101 to extend the tenure of Members of Parliament and Article 136 to lengthen the presidential term.
Many Kenyans on social media condemned the initiative, arguing that it would undermine the democratic principles established under the 2010 Constitution and allow the political class to cling to power instead of addressing economic and social challenges.
The Senate issued a statement clarifying that no legislation to extend term limits is currently under consideration.
“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 Senate is now focused on constitutional reforms to strengthen devolution,” the statement read.
The clarification referred to the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which is aimed at enhancing the role of the Senate and strengthening devolution, rather than changing presidential or parliamentary term lengths.
