AD894: Kenyans want their democracy with term limits for the president

In Kenya, debate about the rules governing the presidential game gain traction from time to  time. In recent year, some lawmakers have suggested extending the presidential term from  five to seven years, arguing that five years is “not enough to run a government” (Republic of  Kenya, 2024; Yusuf, 2023; Letoo, 2023). Others have proposed the introduction of a maximum  age limit for presidential candidates, capped at 75 years. A third group has advocated  removing the constitutional provision limiting presidents to a maximum of two terms (Kinyanjui, 2022).  

In Kenya, presidential term limits were first introduced in 1992, coinciding with the  reintroduction of multiparty politics following more than 10 years of single-party rule (Cheeseman, 2019). Kenya’s new Constitution in 2010 reaffirmed the two-term limit for  presidents. Daniel arap Moi, who served as Kenya’s president from 1978 to 2002, oversaw the  term-limits reforms in 1992 but controversially exempted himself from a retroactive  application of these limits, enabling him to run for and win two additional terms in office (Maltz, 2007). In contrast, subsequent presidents Mwai Kibaki (2002-2012) and Uhuru Kenyatta  (2013-2022) served their two terms without any attempts to revise term limits (Mbaku, 2022).  

Kenyans’ debate over two-term limits is not unique. Across the continent, between 2000 and  2019, there were more than 50 attempts to reintroduce, tighten, revise, or eliminate  presidential term limits (Wiebusch & Murray, 2019). Paul Biya (Cameroon), Yoweri Museveni  (Uganda), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial  Guinea) are among sitting presidents who amended their countries’ constitutions to remove  term limits, allowing them to remain in office (Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2023;  Sampson, 2023). Leaders in 21 African nations with term limits have served an average of four  years, while those who bypassed limits have remained in power for 22 years on average (Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2018). In Afrobarometer surveys, large majorities of  Africans have consistently expressed support for presidential term limits (Afrobarometer, 2024;  Dulani, 2021). Supporters argue that presidential term limits can promote regime stability by  regularising power sharing among politicians and can foster peaceful transfers of power, the  emergence of new leadership, and accountability (Versteeg, Horley, Meng, Guim, &  Guirguis, 2020). 

Findings from Afrobarometer surveys show that by strong majorities, Kenyans consistently  support democracy, favour choosing leaders through elections, and endorse a two-term limit  for the president. Support for term limits is at one of the highest levels recorded in Africa and  is strong across the political party spectrum.