Cherargei threatens 14-year Ruto presidency if opposition fumbles 2032

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has threatened to revive his controversial proposal to extend presidential terms to seven years, saying he could return with a plan to keep President William Ruto in power for 14 years if the opposition fails to organise itself for the 2032 elections.

Cherargei made the remarks today, Monday, October 12, 2026, during Ruto’s North Rift development tour, dismissing the President’s critics as politically disorganised and insisting that the focus should be on equitable development rather than the 2027 General Election.

“Your Excellency, these people don’t have an agenda. We want equity. We cannot even talk about 2027 because you have already won,” Cherargei said.

He then warned that the opposition risked facing a longer period of Kenya Kwanza rule if it failed to prepare for future elections.

“Let them start planning from 2032, and if they play around and fail to organise themselves, I will come back with my plan to extend the term limits so that you continue ruling the country,” he added.

In his remarks, the senator invoked the phrase “kumi na nne supuu”, a reference to a 14-year presidency associated with his proposal to increase presidential terms from five to seven years while retaining the two-term limit.

“Na sisi 2027 hatuongelee ushashinda. Waanze kuongea mambo ya 2032,” Cherargei said, urging Ruto’s rivals to start thinking beyond the next election.

“Na wakikosa kujipanga rais, wakikosa kujipanga, vile hawajipangi mimi nitarudi na ile kumi na nne supuu, uendelee, ushinde,” he added.

The remarks revive a proposal that has previously attracted overwhelming opposition and placed the senator at odds with critics across the political divide.

In September 2023, Cherargei submitted a memorandum to the National Dialogue Committee seeking to increase presidential terms from five to seven years. He argued that a longer tenure would give presidents more time to assemble effective teams and implement their manifestos.

“Whereas the current constitution provides for two term presidential term limit comprising of ten years there is need to increase the same to two terms of seven years each. This enables the president to have good opportunity to form and establish a formidable team to deliver his manifesto,” the memorandum stated.

Cherargei subsequently sponsored the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, seeking to extend the terms of the President, MPs, senators, governors and Members of County Assemblies from five to seven years.

He defended the proposal in April 2025, arguing that frequent election campaigns left leaders with insufficient time to implement development plans.

“Seven years is a holy number for us Christians,” he said during a radio interview on April 23, 2025.

However, the proposal encountered strong resistance during public participation. On November 1, 2024, the Senate Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee recommended that the Bill be rejected after receiving 168,801 submissions, with 99.99 per cent opposing the proposed changes, according to reports.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) also distanced itself from the Bill, describing it as inconsistent with the party’s policies and constitutional values.

Under the current Constitution, Ruto’s first term runs from 2022 to 2027. If re-elected, he could serve a second five-year term ending in 2032. Extending presidential terms to seven years would require constitutional amendments and would not automatically change the President’s existing tenure.

During Monday’s tour, Cherargei also took aim at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, whom he labelled “Mr Empty” and challenged to a direct political confrontation.

“Ule Mr. Empty Empty Senate, mimi niwaachie. Mimi nitadili na yeye one on one, si ni namna hiyo?” he said.

Cherargei’s latest remarks place his term-extension proposal back in the political debate ahead of the 2027 elections, despite the overwhelming public opposition it previously attracted.