Kenya

Constitution of the Republic of Kenya 2010

Participation in Public Life and Institutions

English

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(3) Women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.
…
(6) To give full effect to the realisation of the rights guaranteed under this Article, the State shall take legislative and other measures, including affirmative action⁸ programmes and policies designed to redress any disadvantage suffered by individuals or groups because of past discrimination.
(7) Any measure taken under clause (6) shall adequately provide for any benefits to be on the basis of genuine need.
(8) In addition to the measures contemplated in clause (6), the State shall take legislative and other measures to implement the principle that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender. (Art. 27)
Swahili

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(3) Wanawake na wanaume wana haki ya kutendewa kwa usawa, ikiwa ni pamoja na haki ya kuwa na fursa sawa katika nyanja za kisiasa, kiuchumi, kiutamaduni na kijamii.
…
(6) Ili kutekeleza kikamilifu utekelezaji wa haki zilizohakikishwa chini ya Kifungu hiki, Serikali itachukua hatua za kisheria na hatua nyinginezo, pamoja na mipango na sera thabiti za utekelezaji zilizoundwa ili kufidia unyimwaji wa haki ambao uliwapata watu au kikundi cha watu kwa sababu ya ubaguzi wa zamani.
(7) Hatua yoyote inayochukuliwa chini ya ibara ya (6) itatoa kikamilifu maslahi kwa msingi wa hitaji la kweli.
(8) Pamoja na hatua zilizobainishwa katika ibara ya (6), Serikali itachukua hatua za kisheria na hatua nyinginezo ili kutekeleza kanuni ambayo itahakikisha kwamba washirika wa bodi wa kuchaguliwa au kuteuliwa wa jinsia moja hawatakuwa zaidi ya theluthi mbili. (Kifungu cha27)

Participation in Public Life and Institutions

English

(1) There is established the Parliamentary Service Commission.
(2) The Commission consists of—
(a) the Speaker of the National Assembly, as chairperson;
(b) a vice-chairperson elected by the Commission from the members appointed under paragraph (c);
(c) seven members appointed by Parliament from among its members of whom—
(i) four shall be nominated equally from both Houses by the party or coalition of parties forming the national government, of whom at least two shall be women; and
(ii) three shall be nominated by the parties not forming the national government, at least one of whom shall be nominated from each House and at least one of whom shall be a woman; and
(d) one man and one woman appointed by Parliament from among persons who are experienced in public affairs, but are not members of Parliament.
… (Art. 127)
Swahili

(1) Kuna Tume ya Huduma ya Bunge.
(2) Tume inaundwa na—
(a) Spika wa Bunge, kama Mwenyekiti;
(b) makamu mwenyekiti aliyechaguliwa na Tume kutoka kwa wajumbe walioteuliwa chini ya kifungu cha (c);
(c) wajumbe saba walioteuliwa na Bunge kutoka miongoni mwa wajumbe wake ambao-
(i) wanne watateuliwa kwa usawa kutoka katika Kambi zote za Chama au muungano wa vyama unaounda serikali ya kitaifa, ambao angalau wawili watakuwa wanawake; na
(ii) watatu watateuliwa na vyama ambavyo haviundi serikali ya kitaifa, angalau mmoja kati yao atateuliwa kutoka katika kila Kambi na angalau mmoja kati yao atakuwa mwanamke; na
(d) mwanaume mmoja na mwanamke mmoja aliyeteuliwa na Bunge kutoka kwa watu wenye uzoefu katika maswala ya umma, lakini si wabunge.
… (Kifungu cha 127)

Participation in Public Life and Institutions

English

(1) There is established the Judicial Service Commission.
(2) The Commission shall consist of—
(a) the Chief Justice, who shall be the chairperson of the Commission;
(b) one Supreme Court judge elected by the judges of the Supreme Court;
(c) one Court of Appeal judge elected by the judges of the Court of Appeal;
(d) one High Court judge and one magistrate, one a woman and one a man, elected by the members of the association of judges and magistrates;
(e) the Attorney-General;
(f) two advocates, one a woman and one a man, each of whom has at least fifteen years’ experience, elected by the members of the statutory body responsible for the professional regulation of advocates;
(g) one person nominated by the Public Service Commission; and
(h) one woman and one man to represent the public, not being lawyers, appointed by the President with the approval of the National Assembly.
… (Art. 171)
Swahili

(1) Kuna Tume ya Huduma ya Mahakama.
(2) Tume itaundwa na—
(a) Jaji Mkuu, ambaye atakuwa mwenyekiti wa Tume;
(b) jaji mmoja wa Mahakama Kuu aliyechaguliwa na majaji wa Mahakama Kuu;
(c) jaji mmoja wa Mahakama ya Rufaa aliyechaguliwa na majaji wa Mahakama ya Rufaa;
(d) jaji mmoja wa Mahakama Kuu na hakimu mmoja, mmoja mwanamke na mmoja mwanaume, aliyechaguliwa na wajumbe wa chama cha majaji na mahakimu;
(e) Mwanasheria Mkuu;
(f) mawakili wawili, mmoja mwanamke na mmoja mwanamume, ambaye kila mmoja wao ana uzoefu wa angalau miaka kumi na mitano, aliyechaguliwa na wajumbe wa chombo cha kisheria kinachohusika na usimamizi wa kitaaluma wa mawakili;
(g) mtu mmoja aliyeteuliwa na Tume ya Huduma ya Umma; na
(h) mwanamke mmoja na mwanaume mmoja wawakilishi wa umma, ambao si wanasheria, walioteuliwa na Rais na kuidhinishwa na Bunge.
… (Kifungu cha 171)

Participation in Public Life and Institutions

English

(1) The Judicial Service Commission shall promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the judiciary and the efficient, effective and transparent administration of justice and shall—
(a) recommend to the President persons for appointment as judges;
…
(2) In the performance of its functions, the Commission shall be guided by the following—
(a) competitiveness and transparent processes of appointment of judicial officers and other staff of the judiciary; and
(b) the promotion of gender equality. (Art. 172)
Swahili

(1) Tume ya Huduma ya Mahakama itaimarisha na kuwezesha uhuru na uwajibikaji wa mahakama na usimamizi wa haki wenye ufanisi, wenye matokeo yanayotarajiwa na kwa uwazi na-
(a) itawapendekeza watu kwa Rais kwa ajili ya kuteuliwa kuwa majaji;
…
(2) Katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yake, Tume itaongozwa na yafuatayo—
(a) mchakato shindani na wa wazi wa uteuzi wa maofisa wa mahakama na wafanyakazi wengine wa mahakama; na
(b) uimarishaji wa usawa wa kijinsia. (Kifungu cha 172)

Participation in Public Life and Institutions

English

(1) This Article applies to conflicts between national and county legislation in respect of matters falling within the concurrent jurisdiction of both levels of government.
(2) National legislation prevails over county legislation if—
(a) the national legislation applies uniformly throughout Kenya and any of the conditions specified in clause (3) is satisfied; …
(3) The following are the conditions referred to in clause (2)(a)––
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(c) the national legislation is necessary for—
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(v) the promotion of equal opportunity or equal access to government services;
... (Art. 191)
Swahili

(1) Kifungu hiki kinatumika kwenye migogoro kati ya sheria za kitaifa na za kaunti kuhusu masuala yanayoangukia katika mamlaka ya serikali zote mbili.
(2) Sheria za kitaifa ziko juu ya sheria za kaunti ikiwa-
(a) sheria ya kitaifa inatumika kwa namna sawa katika nchi yote ya Kenya na masharti yoyote yaliyoainishwa katika ibara ya (3) yamezingatiwa; …
(3) Yafuatayo ni masharti yaliyotajwa katika kifungu cha (2) (a)––
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(c) sheria ya kitaifa ni ya lazima kwa ajili ya-
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(v) uimarishaji wa fursa sawa au upatikanaji sawia wa huduma za serikali;
... (Kifungu cha 191)

Participation in Public Life and Institutions

English

(1) The values and principles of public service include—
…
(i) affording adequate and equal opportunities for appointment, training and advancement, at all levels of the public service, of—
(i) men and women;
… (Art. 232)
Swahili

(1) Maadili na kanuni za huduma ya umma hujumuisha—
…
(i) kupata fursa sawa na stahiki kwa ajili ya kuteuliwa, mafunzo na maendeleo, katika ngazi zote za huduma ya umma, ya—
(i) wanaume na wanawake;
… (Kifungu cha 232)

Participation in Public Life and Institutions

English

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(11) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of a commission⁹ shall not be of the same gender.
… (Art. 250)
Swahili

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(11) Mwenyeketi na makamu mwenyekiti wa tume hawatakuwa wa jinsia moja.
… (Kifungu cha 250)

Constitution of the Republic of Kenya 2010 (English). According to Art. 7: "… 2. The official languages of the Republic are Kiswahili and English. …"

Constitution of the Republic of Kenya 2010 (Swahili). UN Women in-house translation (2020).

Links to all sites last visited 14 February 2024

According to Art. 260: “‘Affirmative action’ includes any measure designed to overcome or ameliorate an inequity or the systemic denial or infringement of a right or fundamental freedom;...”.

According to Art. 248: “(2) The commissions are— (a) the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission; (b) the National Land Commission; (c) the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission; (d) the Parliamentary Service Commission; (e) the Judicial Service Commission; (f) the Commission on Revenue Allocation; (g) the Public Service Commission; (h) the Salaries and Remuneration Commission; (i) the Teachers Service Commission; and (j) the National Police Service Commission.”

According to Art. 260: “‘Affirmative action’ includes any measure designed to overcome or ameliorate an inequity or the systemic denial or infringement of a right or fundamental freedom;...”.

Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.

According to Art. 260: “‘Affirmative action’ includes any measure designed to overcome or ameliorate an inequity or the systemic denial or infringement of a right or fundamental freedom;...”.

Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.