Presidential aspirant, Martha Karua has proposed a shift in Kenya’s leadership culture, arguing that the country would benefit from a series of one-term presidents focused on service delivery rather than re-election politics.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Karua said leaders should spend their time in office working for Kenyans instead of concentrating on securing a second term.
“We need to have a series of one term presidents. You work without focusing on reelection and we do the best we can do for Kenya,” she said.
Karua maintained that a single five-year term is sufficient for a serious leader to make a meaningful impact on the country.
“One term for a serious, focused individual who wants to transform Kenya positively,” she stated.
She added that no leader can fully complete the task of nation-building, insisting that what matters is laying a strong foundation for progress.
“Five years is enough. No one will ever finish the task of nation building,” she said.
The former Justice Minister also weighed in on the country’s impeachment processes, urging Parliament to strictly adhere to constitutional requirements whenever handling such proceedings.
“Parliament has to be very careful to follow due process,” she said.
While acknowledging the independence of Parliament, Karua noted that lawmakers’ decisions can still be subjected to judicial scrutiny.
“Yes, Parliament is independent, but the decisions they make can be scrutinized and audited by the courts,” she added.
Karua also criticized President William Ruto’s frequent foreign trips, arguing that they come at a significant cost to taxpayers. She further suggested that the President has taken on responsibilities that should ordinarily be left to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“I haven’t seen a president with a minister of foreign affairs who wants to do the job of foreign affairs. Perhaps he should cede the presidency and become the minister for foreign affairs,” she remarked.
A veteran politician and lawyer, Karua served as Gichugu MP for three terms and was Raila Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 General Election.
She has since declared her intention to seek the presidency, positioning herself as a reform-focused leader ahead of the 2027 poll.
