Recently elected Baringo Senator Vincent Kiprono Chemitei has suggested that President William Ruto should serve beyond the constitutional 10-year limit, similar to the late President Daniel arap Moi.

Speaking during the Kimalel Goat Auction in Baringo on Monday, December 22, 2025, Chemitei showered President Ruto with praise, saying Baringo County is accustomed to electing leaders for extended periods.

He noted that the county elected President Moi for four terms and argued that, just as they supported Moi, it is the wish of Baringo residents to have President Ruto serve for a similar duration.

“Moi alitoka hapa Baringo; sisi hatujaenda kupiga kura miaka 5 ama 10; sisi tumepiga 20 na kuelekea huko mbele, tukiona kazi yako ni mzuri sisi tungetaka tukupigie kura kama Moi isikuwe tu miaka 5 ama 20,” Chemitei said.

While praising the president, Chemitei used a chapati analogy, stating that President Ruto has only managed to “cook one side of the chapati” during his current term and should be granted another term to fully complete his agenda.

“Unajua mpishi ukimpa nafasi apike chapati, lazima umruhusu aivishe ile sehemu nyingine kwa sababu huwezi kula chapati kama imeiva sehemu moja,” he said.

Presidential term limit extension

The remarks come at a time when a motion seeking to extend the term of elected officials from five to seven years, sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, remains pending in the Senate following public participation conducted in October.

According to Cherargei, the five-year term is insufficient for elected leaders to fully implement their development agendas, hence the proposal to extend it to seven years.

However, the proposal has been widely condemned by several leaders, led by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah. Omtatah stated that Cherargei’s motion had been rejected at the committee stage but still found its way to the Second Reading.

He added that the Senate’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee had concluded that the bill would create more constitutional problems than it seeks to resolve.

His senatorial bid

Senator Chemitei, who was elected in a by-election held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, to replace the late William Cheptumo, also thanked President Ruto for the role he played in the Baringo senatorial race.

He credited the president for persuading former senator Gideon Moi to shelve his bid, a move that, according to Chemitei, gave him an easier path to victory.