Kindiki: Kenyan Constitution is designed for 2-term presidential leadership
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 21, 2026Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said the Constitution of Kenya provides for a two-term presidency to ensure continuity, completion of development projects, and effective delivery of government programmes.
Speaking during a church service in Uasin Gishu County on Sunday, June 21, 2026, Kindiki called on residents to support President William Ruto, saying the government would continue implementing development projects across the country.
“Kwa hivyo mimi watu ya Uasin Gishu nataka kuwarai muendelee kuunga mkono mheshimiwa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya. Amefanya kazi na ataendelea kufanya kazi,” Kindiki said.
He added that the Constitution sets clear limits on the presidential term and allows leaders enough time to deliver their agenda.
“Katiba yetu imesema ya kwamba mtu akichaguliwa kama kiongozi wa taifa, kama rais, apewe miaka mitano, afanye kazi, aanze miradi, alafu aongezwe miaka mingine mitano ili akamilishe ile kazi ambayo ameanza,” he said.
Kindiki argued that the Constitution envisions a ten-year period for a president to implement policies and programmes from start to completion.
“So the Constitution envisages a 10-year period for a president to bring policy, to bring programmes, not just to start them, but to start them and complete them,” he said.
He dismissed the idea of a “one-term” presidency, saying such claims show a lack of understanding of the law.
“Ndio Katiba imesema hakuna kitu kama one term kwa Katiba. Yule mtu anasema one term haja soma Katiba,” he said.
Constitution allows two terms
Kindiki further stated that the first term is meant to introduce and roll out development programmes, while the second term is focused on completing them.
“Term ya kwanza ni ya kuleta programs na kuleta policy na kuleta marekebisho… Term ya pili ni ya kukamilisha,” he said.
He also claimed that anyone rejecting the two-term framework is misinterpreting the Constitution.
“Anybody speaking about two terms must know they are undermining the Constitution of Kenya,” he said.
The Deputy President referenced Kenya’s past leadership, noting that previous constitutional arrangements did not have strict term limits, but said the current Constitution is clear and must be respected.
“Katika katiba ya zamani hakukuwa hata na limit. Ndiyo uliona ule mzee Moi alikuwa hapa 24 hours, 24 years,” he said.
Kenya’s current Constitution, however, limits a president to a maximum of two five-year terms.
Kindiki said the government will soon present its track record for public evaluation, pointing to sectors such as agriculture, education, infrastructure, housing, and trade.
“Rais Ruto atakuja kueleza mahali amefikia kilimo, elimu, biashara, barabara, manyumba ya bei nafuu, masoko,” he said.
He concluded that the Constitution is designed to allow presidents enough time to start and complete national development programmes, insisting that any narrative suggesting otherwise goes against the constitutional framework.
“Therefore anybody trying to sell a narrative of anything short of a two-term must know they are undermining the Constitution of Kenya,” he said.