Long-serving COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has reignited the debate on presidential term limits, proposing their removal to address what he terms as the “political challenges” facing Kenya.
Speaking during a TV interview on Wednesday, Atwoli argued that the two-term limit creates a culture of incessant politicking, with leaders and aspirants focused on succession rather than development.
“If you asked me as Francis Atwoli, I’d tell you, let us remove term limits. Why? This is what is causing us problems. Somebody is timing, after 10 years I want to be president,” he said on JKL Live.
Atwoli pointed to examples of countries without term limits, suggesting they enjoy greater political stability, enabling leaders to prioritize development projects.
He cited Uganda as an example, saying, “Are Ugandans experiencing the same problems we experience here? People have made politics an industry—politics every morning to evening because they know Jeff’s term, for example, is almost ending.”
He further drew comparisons with European nations led by monarchs, stating that their systems foster stability and long-term governance, unlike Kenya’s frequent election cycles.
Atwoli also criticized Western nations for advocating term limits for African countries while operating without similar constraints. “Why are they pushing us to have elections every five years when they don’t do the same?” he questioned.
Push for Constitutional Review
Atwoli’s comments come weeks after he called for amendments to the 2010 Constitution. He claimed the current framework hinders President William Ruto’s ability to implement significant projects due to legal challenges.
“The President wants to bring us a project, people are running to court, they are stopping it, yet it is a national project,” Atwoli said, warning that such obstacles might prevent Ruto from achieving tangible results during his term.
Atwoli’s remarks are likely to stir mixed reactions, with critics viewing them as a veiled push for extending presidential power, while supporters may echo his concerns about the need for governance reforms.
As the debate unfolds, the question remains whether Kenya is ready to revisit the issue of term limits or whether Atwoli’s proposal will face staunch opposition.
