Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has reignited debate over extending Kenya’s presidential term from five to seven years, warning President William Ruto’s rivals to prepare for a prolonged Kenya Kwanza stay in power.
Speaking during Ruto’s North Rift development tour on Monday, October 12, 2026, Cherargei invoked “kumi na nne supuu,” a reference to his controversial proposal for a 14-year presidency.
“Na sisi 2027 hatuongelee ushashinda. Waanze kuongea mambo ya 2032,” Cherargei said, urging the opposition to look beyond the 2027 General Election.
He added that if Ruto’s opponents failed to organise themselves, he would return with his seven-year-term proposal to secure an extended stay in power.
Cherargei first proposed extending presidential terms from five to seven years in 2023, arguing that longer terms would give leaders sufficient time to implement their development agendas.
He later introduced the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, seeking to extend the terms of the President, MPs, senators, governors and MCAs to seven years.
However, the proposal faced overwhelming public opposition.
In November 2024, the Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee recommended rejecting the Bill after receiving 168,801 submissions, with 99.99 per cent opposing the changes.
Cherargei defended the proposal in April 2025, arguing that frequent election campaigns disrupted development plans.
He also cited his Christian faith, saying seven was a holy number.
Under the current Constitution, the President serves a five-year term and can be re-elected once.
Any extension would require constitutional changes and would not automatically alter Ruto’s current tenure.
During Monday’s tour, Cherargei also took aim at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, dismissing him as “Mr Empty” and challenging him to a direct political confrontation.
Sifuna, a former ODM secretary-general, has since pursued a separate political path through the Linda Mwananchi movement and The Equitable Party (TEP).
Cherargei further accused the opposition of lacking a clear agenda, insisting that Kenya Kwanza’s focus remained on equity and development.
His remarks have thrust the contentious seven-year-term proposal back into the political spotlight as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
