By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, June 06, 2026 - Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has mounted a spirited defence of President William Ruto's re-election bid, arguing that Kenya's political history and constitutional provisions support the Head of State's pursuit of a second term.
Speaking at a public function, Sudi dismissed calls for Ruto to serve only one term as political propaganda, insisting that the President deserves another mandate to complete his development agenda.
The outspoken legislator noted that Kenya's previous leaders enjoyed lengthy periods in office. He cited founding President Jomo Kenyatta, who ruled for 15 years, and former President Daniel arap Moi, who served for 24 years.
Then after constitutional changes allowed extended tenure, others seized up the opportunity to embed themselves into power for a long period.
He further pointed to former President Mwai Kibaki and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, both of whom served the constitutionally permitted two terms of five years each.
Sudi questioned the logic behind demands for Ruto to leave office after a single term despite what he described as an aggressive development record.
"Why should President Ruto, who is working harder than all his predecessors to transform the country, be denied an opportunity to serve a second term when the Constitution clearly provides for a maximum of two terms?" Sudi posed.
More from Kenya
The MP appealed to Kenyans to reject what he termed negative political narratives and instead support the President's quest for re-election to enable him to consolidate ongoing development programmes.
He praised Ruto as a workaholic leader whose administration has undertaken major projects across key sectors of the economy, including road construction, affordable housing, healthcare reforms, rural electrification, energy expansion and other large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
According to Sudi, the President's development track record has already begun transforming livelihoods across the country and warrants continuity beyond 2027.
He maintained that Kenyans should judge Ruto based on the projects being implemented and the impact of government programmes on ordinary citizens rather than political rhetoric from his opponents.
The lawmaker's remarks come amid growing political debate over the 2027 General Election, with allies of the President increasingly mobilising support for his re-election campaign while critics continue to question the performance of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Under the Constitution of Kenya, a president is eligible to serve a maximum of two five-year terms, subject to winning elections. Sudi argued that Ruto should be afforded the same opportunity enjoyed by his recent predecessors to seek a second and final term in office.