Ledama Olekina proposes scrapping term limits for governors
Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has proposed the removal of term limits for county governors.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Sunday, August 3, 2025, the outspoken senator questioned the rationale behind limiting governors to two five-year terms, particularly in a political environment where young, energetic leaders are just beginning to find their footing by the end of their first term.
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Olekina argued that the current constitutional cap on gubernatorial terms may hinder rather than enhance effective leadership. According to him, the initial five years in office are often consumed by political manoeuvring and aligning with power structures as governors work to secure their positions and build influence.
He further claimed that in the final five years, many focus more on personal enrichment, knowing they are nearing the end of their tenure.
By removing term limits, Olekina said that governors might feel less pressured by survival politics and instead focus on long-term service delivery and development agendas. He suggested that without the constant threat of political exit after a decade, leaders could invest more in meaningful reforms and people-driven policies.
“Maybe Kenya should scrap term limits for governors. Why cap leadership for young, capable leaders at 10 years? First 5 years are spent bootlicking, next 5 looting. What if removing the limit made them focus on service, not survival? Just think about it,” the Senator wrote.
Debate
The debate over the constitutional term limit for governors is not new. In February 2019, the Council of Governors (CoG) established a special committee to examine the possibility of abolishing the two-term limit. The committee was jointly led by then Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana and Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi.
The draft proposal argued that the term limit was unfair to governors since Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) are allowed to serve unlimited terms as long as they are re-elected.
At the time, then CoG Chairperson Wycliffe Oparanya said he had not yet received the final report, but acknowledged that it could lead to a retreat where governors would meet to take a common stand.
The conversation picked up again during the 2024–25 legislative period when Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei introduced a controversial constitutional amendment bill. The bill not only proposed scrapping term limits for governors, but also sought to extend the term length for several elected officials, including the President, senators, MPs, MCAs, and governors, from five years to seven.
Cherargei’s bill, which called for amendments to Articles 101, 136, 177, and 180 of the Constitution, suggested that Kenya could restructure its electoral calendar. His proposal explicitly stated that governors should serve seven-year terms, a change that could pave the way for longer and possibly more than two terms for county bosses.
