The Government of Kenya and the Political System

The Government of Kenya and the Political System

On June 1, 1963, Kenya was granted the ability to establish its first internal self-government, led by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, ending the British colonial administration within the country. 

When Kenya’s black, red, and green flag took the place of Britain’s Union Jack on December 12, 1963, the country became fully independent. Kenya became a republic on December 12, 1964, exactly one year later. 

Because of this, Kenyans commemorate Madaraka Day on June 1st and Jamhuri Day on December 12th, respectively, drawing big crowds to honor the hard-won freedom that came with being a free people in charge of their future.

47 counties make up the unitary state of the Republic of Kenya. The National Government and the 47 county administrations oversee the entire nation. 

As stated in Kenya’s Constitution, article 6 subsection 2, which states that “The governments at the national and county levels are distinct and inter-dependent and shall conduct their mutual relations based on consultation and cooperation,” the two levels of government collaborate closely. 

Furthermore, the Constitution’s fourth schedule explicitly delineates the roles of the national and local governments, facilitating efficient operations and cooperation among them.

Over time, Kenya’s political system has changed, combining elements of a single-party and multi-party system. Since gaining its independence, Kenya has generally been a multi-party democracy. 

Up to 1969, when the government for the first time outlawed active multi-party politics, Kenya had aspects of a multi-party system; as a result, Kenya was effectively a one-party state. 

Kenya now has a de facto one-party system thanks to the 1982 introduction of section 2a into the constitution. 

This persisted until 1992 when multi-party politics were made possible by the abolition of section 2a. Since then, parliamentary democracy has been the defining feature of the nation’s multi-party political system.

The National Assembly and the Senate make up the bicameral Kenyan Parliament. 

Together with the Speaker, who serves as an ex officio member, the National Assembly has 349 members in total. 

According to Article 95 of the Constitution, the members of the National Assembly are as follows: Two hundred ninety (290) members, chosen by the registered voters in constituencies with one member each; forty-seven (47) women, chosen by the registered voters of the counties, each of which is a constituency with one member; The National Assembly and the Senate make up the bicameral Kenyan Parliament. 

Together with the Speaker, who serves as an ex officio member, the National Assembly has 349 members in total. 

According to Article 95 of the Constitution, the members of the National Assembly are as follows: Two hundred ninety (290) members, chosen by the registered voters in constituencies with one member each; forty-seven (47) women, chosen by the registered voters of the counties, each of which is a constituency with one member;

In addition to the Speaker, who serves as an ex-officio member, the Senate has 67 members. 

According to Article 98 of the Constitution, the Senate will be made up of the following members: Fourteen (16) women members, nominated by political parties by their share of Senate members elected under clause (a) by Article 90; Two (2) members, one man and one woman representing youth; Two (2) members, one man and one woman representing persons with disabilities; and The Speaker, who will serve as an ex officio member. 

Forty-seven (47) members, each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each constituting a single-member constituency.

While senators refer to the senators in the Senate, members of the National Assembly are called Members of Parliament (MP). Senators and Members of Parliament have five-year terms. 

The executive is made up of the President of the Republic of Kenya, the Deputy President, and the Cabinet Secretaries. 

The National Assembly must approve the nomination and appointment of Cabinet Secretaries by the President. 

It is forbidden for a Cabinet Secretary to hold parliamentary office. The President is chosen at large to serve a five-year term. 

A candidate needs to receive 25% of the vote in half of the 47 counties and 50% plus 1 of the votes to win.

Kenyan parliamentary politics is a highly competitive, open, free, and fair arena. Since gaining independence in 1963, Kenya has held all of the general elections—for the presidency, legislature, and local government—every five years as stipulated by the Constitution. 

Kenya’s first election took place in May 1963. Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the head of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), was chosen by the party to lead it and become Kenya’s first president. 

Up until October 1978, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was Kenya’s first President and the country’s founding father. 

Following his death, Daniel Arap Moi became Kenya’s second President. President Mwai Kibaki, the third elected president, took office in December 2002 from President Daniel Arap Moi.

Following the adoption of a new constitution in August 2010, Kenya held its first general election on March 4, 2013, electing Honorable Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta as the country’s fourth president 

 President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta was re-elected on October 26, 2017, by the new constitution. He will hold their positions until the next general election, which is anticipated to take place in August 2022. 

The Government of Kenya and the Political System