Simat/Kapseret MCA Moses Kebenei Sparks Fresh Debate With Call to Bar Over-60s From 2032 Elections

Controversial Simat/Kapseret MCA Moses Kebenei has once again ignited public debate after arguing that Kenyans aged over 60 should be barred from seeking elective office starting with the 2032 General Election, citing the country’s official retirement age for public servants.

Speaking during a local forum and later amplifying the remarks on social media, Kebenei said leadership should reflect “the energy and realities of the future,” insisting that it was inconsistent for the country to elect leaders beyond the age at which civil servants are required to retire.

“In Kenya, the retirement age is 60. Why should we have leaders older than that making decisions for a generation they will not live to see?” Kebenei posed, framing his proposal as a way to promote youth leadership and long-term planning.

Under current law, Kenya’s Constitution does not impose an upper age limit for elective office, instead setting minimum age thresholds for various positions. Public servants, however, are required to retire at 60, with limited extensions in special cases.

Kebenei’s comments immediately drew mixed reactions. Supporters, particularly among younger voters, said the proposal touched on a real concern about generational equity and the need to open political space for younger leaders.

“Politics has been closed to young people for too long,” said one youth activist in Kapseret. “Whether or not this proposal is adopted, it forces the country to have an honest conversation.”

Critics, however, dismissed the idea as unconstitutional, discriminatory and populist. Legal experts noted that imposing an upper age limit would require a constitutional amendment and could violate principles of equality and political rights.

“This is not just a policy proposal; it fundamentally alters who can participate in democracy,” said a constitutional lawyer based in Eldoret. “Age alone cannot be used as a proxy for competence or accountability.”

Opposition politicians also accused Kebenei of courting controversy for political attention, pointing out that many of Kenya’s most influential reformers and technocrats have been over 60.

Kebenei, who has previously made headlines for outspoken and divisive remarks, appeared unfazed by the backlash, saying his aim was to “provoke thinking” ahead of long-term reforms.

With the 2032 elections still years away, his proposal has no immediate legal effect. But it has succeeded in reigniting a national debate on age, leadership and the future direction of Kenyan politics.