People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has made a bold promise, declaring that she would serve for only one term if elected President of Kenya.
Speaking during a high-energy opposition rally, Karua said her pledge was aimed at breaking the culture of leaders clinging to power indefinitely, a trend she argued has undermined democracy across Africa.
“So that others don’t think ‘one term’ is an insult, I stand before you to tell you that we must demystify power in Kenya, in East Africa, and in Africa. People get to power, and they refuse to leave power. Martha Karua, yours truly, is seeking a single term; one term,” she declared to loud applause from the crowd.
Karua, a long-time reformist and former Justice Minister, said her vision for Kenya is to use a single five-year term to institute far-reaching governance reforms, strengthen democratic institutions, and hand over to the next generation of leaders.
According to her, the obsession with staying in power has fueled corruption, weakened accountability, and robbed citizens of real development.
Her announcement comes just days after heated political debate over the concept of “wantam” — a colloquial reference to leaders who only serve one term.
Karua appeared to embrace the term, turning it into a badge of honor rather than a political insult.
Political analysts say her stance could resonate with a population frustrated by long-serving leaders who prioritize personal survival in office over service delivery.
However, skeptics argue that implementing deep reforms within a single term could prove challenging in Kenya’s often turbulent political environment.
By openly pledging to serve only one term, Karua has set herself apart from rivals and sparked fresh debate on term limits, succession, and the future of leadership in Kenya.
Her message of demystifying power may now become the rallying cry for the United Opposition as it seeks to position itself as a credible alternative to President William Ruto’s administration.
Link:
https://x.com/Eastleighvoice/status/1971596801057677346?t=cSyB7SUiLjhr9St2lmn2sQ&s=19
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