People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has proposed a radical shift in Kenya’s politics, saying the country would benefit from a succession of one-term presidents focused on service delivery rather than re-election campaigns.

Karua, who has declared her intention to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, argued that a single five-year term is sufficient for a leader to implement meaningful reforms and place the country on the right track.

“I am a proponent of one term for Ruto, one term for Martha Karua,” she said on Sunday, June 14, 2026. “We need to have a series of one-term presidents. You work without focusing on re-election, and we do the best we can for Kenya.”

The former Justice Minister said the pressure of seeking a second term often distracts leaders from their core mandate of serving citizens and delivering on their promises.

According to Karua, her administration would prioritize restoring the rule of law, strengthening the justice system and improving public service delivery.

“For Martha Karua, five years are enough to set Kenya back on the path of the rule of law, to ensure the wheels of justice are moving, and to ensure service delivery is people-focused,” she said.

Karua has consistently positioned herself as a champion of constitutionalism, accountability and good governance, frequently criticizing what she describes as the weakening of institutions and the erosion of the rule of law under the current administration.

Her remarks come amid heightened political activity as opposition leaders intensify their criticism of President Ruto’s government over the high cost of living, governance concerns and economic challenges facing the country.

While Kenya’s Constitution allows a president to serve a maximum of two five-year terms, Karua’s proposal would require political leaders to voluntarily limit themselves to a single term in office.

The veteran politician maintained that leaders should focus on delivering results rather than spending significant portions of their first term laying the groundwork for re-election campaigns.

Karua remains one of the leading opposition figures, positioning herself as an alternative to Ruto, whose administration continues to defend its economic and governance record despite mounting criticism from political rivals.