Constitution of the Republic of Kenya 2010
Head of State
  • English
    (1) The President—
    (a) is the Head of State and Government;
    (b) exercises the executive authority of the Republic, with the assistance of the Deputy President and Cabinet Secretaries;

    (2) The President shall-
    (a) respect, uphold and safeguard this Constitution;
    ...
    (e) ensure the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
    ... (Art. 131)
  • Swahili
    (1) Rais-
    (a) ni Mkuu wa Nchi na Serikali;
    (b) anatekeleza mamlaka ya juu ya Jamhuri, kwa kusaidiwa na Makamu wa Rais na Makatibu wa Baraza la Mawaziri;

    (2) Rais-
    (a) ataheshimu, kuitetea na kuilinda Katiba hii;
    ...
    (e) atahakikisha ulinzi wa haki za binadamu na uhuru wa msingi na utawala wa sheria.
    ... (Kifungu cha 131)
Head of State
  • English
    (1) The President shall be elected by registered voters in a national election conducted in accordance with this Constitution and any Act of Parliament regulating presidential elections.
    … (Art. 136)
  • Swahili
    (1) Rais atachaguliwa na wapiga kura waliosajiliwa katika uchaguzi wa kitaifa unaofanywa kwa mujibu wa Katiba hii na Sheria yoyote ya Bunge inayosimamia uchaguzi wa rais.
    … (Kifungu cha 136)
Head of State
  • English
    (1) A person qualifies for nomination as a presidential candidate if the person—
    (a) is a citizen by birth;
    (b) is qualified to stand for election as a member of Parliament;
    (c) is nominated by a political party, or is an independent candidate; and
    (d) is nominated by not fewer than two thousand voters from each of a majority of the counties.
    … (Art. 137)
  • Swahili
    (1) Mtu anakuwa na sifa za kuteuliwa kuwa mgombea wa urais ikiwa mtu huyo—
    (a) ni raia kwa kuzaliwa;
    (b) ana sifa za kusimama kwenye uchaguzi kama mbunge;
    (c) ameteuliwa na chama cha siasa, au ni mgombea wa kujitegemea; na
    (d) ameteuliwa na si chini ya wapiga kura elfu mbili kutoka kila kaunti yenye watu wengi.
    … (Kifungu cha 137)
Vice-President
  • English
    (1) The Deputy President shall be the principal assistant of the President and shall deputise for the President in the execution of the President’s functions.
    (2) The Deputy President shall perform the functions conferred by this Constitution and any other functions of the President as the President may assign.
    (3) Subject to Article 134, when the President is absent or is temporarily incapacitated, and during any other period that the President decides, the Deputy President shall act as the President.
    … (Art. 147)
  • Swahili
    (1) Makamu wa Rais atakuwa msaidizi mkuu wa Rais na atamwakilisha Rais katika utekelezaji wa shughuli za Rais.
    (2) Makamu wa Rais atafanya majukumu yaliyoainishwa na Katiba hii na majukumu mengine yoyote ya Rais kadri Rais atakavyompatia.
    (3) Kwa kuzingatia Kifungu cha 134, Rais asipokuwepo au hawezi kufanya kazi kwa muda, na katika kipindi kingine chochote ambacho Rais ataamua, Makamu wa Rais atafanya kazi kama Rais.
    … (Kifungu cha 147)
Vice-President
  • English
    (1) Each candidate in a presidential election shall nominate a person who is qualified for nomination for election as President, as a candidate for Deputy President.
    (2) For the purposes of clause (1), there shall be no separate nomination process for the Deputy President and Article 137 (1) (d) shall not apply to a candidate for Deputy President.
    (3) The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall declare the candidate nominated by the person who is elected as the President to be elected as the Deputy President.
    … (Art. 148)
  • Swahili
    (1) Kila mgombea katika uchaguzi wa rais atamteua mtu mwenye sifa za kuchaguliwa kuwa Rais, kuwa mtaradhia wa Makamu wa Rais.
    (2) Kwa madhumuni ya ibara ya (1), hakutakuwa na mchakato tofauti wa uteuzi wa Makamu wa Rais na Kifungu cha 137 (1) (d) hakitatumika kwa mtaradhia wa Makamu wa Rais.
    (3) Tume Huru ya Uchaguzi na Mipaka itamtangaza mtaradhia aliyeteuliwa na mtu aliyechaguliwa kuwa Rais kuchaguliwa kama Makamu wa Rais.
    … (Kifungu cha 148)
Government
  • English
    (1) The national executive of the Republic comprises the President, the Deputy President and the rest of the Cabinet.
    (2) The composition of the national executive shall reflect the regional and ethnic diversity of the people of Kenya. (Art. 130)
  • Swahili
    (1) Serikali kuu ya Jamhuri inaundwa na Rais, Makamu wa Rais na Baraza la Mawaziri.
    (2) Muundo wa serikali kuu ya kitaifa utaakisi umajumui wa kikanda na kikabila wa watu wa Kenya. (Kifungu cha 130)
Government
  • English
    (1) The Cabinet consists of—
    (a) the President;
    (b) the Deputy President;
    (c) the Attorney-General; and
    (d) not fewer than fourteen and not more than twenty-two Cabinet Secretaries.
    (2) The President shall nominate and, with the approval of the National Assembly, appoint Cabinet Secretaries.
    … (Art. 152)
  • Swahili
    (1) Baraza la Mawaziri linaundwa na—
    (a) Rais;
    (b) Makamu wa Rais;
    (c) Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali; na
    (d) si chini ya Makatibu wa Baraza la Mawaziri kumi na wanne na si zaidi ya ishirini na wawili.
    (2) Rais atapendekeza na, kwa idhini ya Bunge la Kitaifa, atawateua Makatibu wa Baraza la Mawaziri.
    … (Kifungu cha 152)
Legislature
  • English
    (1) Elections for the seats in Parliament provided for under Articles 97(1) (c) and 98 (1) (b), (c) and (d), and for the members of county assemblies under 177 (1) (b) and (c), shall be on the basis of proportional representation by use of party lists.
    (2) The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of elections for seats provided for under clause (1) and shall ensure that—

    (b) except in the case of the seats provided for under Article 98 (1) (b), each party list comprises the appropriate number of qualified candidates and alternates between male and female candidates in the priority in which they are listed;
    … (Art. 90)
  • Swahili
    (1) Uchaguzi wa viti katika Bunge vilivyobainishwa chini ya Kifungu cha 97 (1) (c) na 98 (1) (b), (c) na (d), na kwa wajumbe wa mabunge ya kaunti chini ya kifungu cha 177 (1) (b) na (c), zitakuwa kwa msingi wa uwakilishi wa usawa kwa kutumia orodha za chama.
    (2) Tume Huru ya Uchaguzi na Mipaka itakuwa na jukumu la kufanya na kusimamia uchaguzi wa viti vilivyobainishwa chini ya ibara ya (1) na itahakikisha kwamba—

    (b) isipokuwa katika viti vilivyobainishwa chini ya Kifungu cha 98 ( 1)(b), orodha ya kila chama inajumuisha idadi inayofaa ya wagombea wenye sifa na wanabadilishana kati ya wagombea wa kiume na wa kike katika kipaumbele ambacho kwacho wameorodheshwa;
    … (Kifungu cha 90)
Legislature
  • English
    (1) There is established a Parliament of Kenya, which shall consist of the National Assembly and the Senate.
    (2) The National Assembly and the Senate shall perform their respective functions in accordance with this Constitution. (Art. 93)
  • Swahili
    (1) Kuna Bunge la Kenya, ambalo litaundwa na Bunge la Kitaifa na Seneti.
    (2) Vyombo vya Bunge la Kitaifa na Seneti vitafanya kazi zao kwa mujibu wa Katiba hii. (Kifungu cha 93)
Legislature
  • English
    1. The legislative authority of the Republic is derived from the people and, at the national level, is vested in and exercised by Parliament.
    … (Art. 94)
  • Swahili
    1. Mamlaka ya kisheria ya Jamhuri yanatoka kwa watu na, kwa kiwango cha kitaifa, yanakabidhiwa na kutekelezwa na Bunge.
    … (Kifungu cha 94)
Legislature
  • English
    (1) The National Assembly consists of—
    (a) two hundred and ninety members, each elected by the registered voters of single member constituencies;
    (b) forty-seven women, each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county constituting a single member constituency;
    (c) twelve members nominated by parliamentary political parties according to their proportion of members of the National Assembly in accordance with Article 90, to represent special interests including the youth, persons with disabilities and workers; and
    (d) the Speaker, who is an ex officio member.
    (2) Nothing in this Article shall be construed as excluding any person from contesting an election under clause (1) (a). (Art. 97)
  • Swahili
    (1) Bunge la Kitaifa linaundwa na—
    (a) wabunge mia mbili na tisini, kila mmoja aliyechaguliwa na wapiga kura waliosajiliwa kutoka katika eneo bunge moja;
    (b) wanawake arobaini na saba, kila mmoja aliyechaguliwa na wapiga kura waliosajiliwa wa kaunti, kila kaunti inaunda eneo bunge moja;
    (c) wajumbe kumi na wawili walioteuliwa na vyama vya siasa vyenye uwakilishi bungeni kulingana na idadi yao ya wajumbe wa Bunge la Kitaifa kwa mujibu wa Kifungu cha 90, ili kuwakilisha masilahi maalumu ikiwa ni pamoja na vijana, watu wenye ulemavu na wafanyikazi; na
    (d) Spika, ambaye ni mjumbe kwa nafasi yake.
    (2) Hakuna chochote katika Kifungu hiki kitachukuliwa kama kumwondoa mtu yeyote kugombea kwenye uchaguzi chini ya ibara ya (1) (a). (Kifungu cha 97)
Legislature
  • English
    (1) The Senate consists of—
    (a) forty-seven members each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county constituting a single member constituency;
    (b) sixteen women members who shall be nominated by political parties according to their proportion of members of the Senate elected under clause (a) in accordance with Article 90;
    (c) two members, being one man and one woman, representing the youth;
    (d) two members, being one man and one woman, representing persons with disabilities; and
    (e) the Speaker, who shall be an ex officio member.
    (2) The members referred to in clause (1) (c) and (d) shall be elected in accordance with Article 90.
    (3) Nothing in this Article shall be construed as excluding any person from contesting an election under clause (1) (a). (Art. 98)
  • Swahili
    (1) Bunge la Seneti linaundwa na -
    (a) wajumbe arobaini na saba kila mmoja aliyechaguliwa na wapiga kura waliosajiliwa wa kaunti husika, kila kaunti inaunda eneo bunge moja;
    (b) wajumbe wanawake kumi na sita ambao watachaguliwa na vyama vya siasa kulingana na idadi yao ya wajumbe wa Seneti waliochaguliwa chini ya ibara ya (a) kwa mujibu wa Kifungu cha 90;
    (c) wajumbe wawili, mmoja akiwa mwanaume na mwingine mwanamke wakiwakilisha vijana;
    (d) wajumbe wawili, mmoja akiwa mwanaume na mwingine mwanamke wakiwakilisha watu wenye ulemavu; na
    (e) Spika, ambaye atakuwa mjumbe kwa nafasi yake.
    (2) Wajumbe waliotajwa katika ibara ya (1) (c) na (d) watachaguliwa kwa mujibu wa Kifungu cha 90.
    (3) Hakuna chochote katika Kifungu hiki kitachukuliwa kama kumwondoa mtu yeyote kugombea kwenye uchaguzi chini ya ibara ya (1) (a). (Kifungu cha 98)
Legislature
  • English
    (1) Unless disqualified under clause (2), a person is eligible for election as a member of Parliament if the person—
    (a) is registered as a voter;
    (b) satisfies any educational, moral and ethical requirements prescribed by this Constitution or by an Act of Parliament; and
    (c) is nominated by a political party, or is an independent candidate who is supported—
    (i) in the case of election to the National Assembly, by at least one thousand registered voters in the constituency; or
    (ii) in the case of election to the Senate, by at least two thousand registered voters in the county.
    … (Art. 99)
  • Swahili
    (1) Isipokuwa kama hana sifa chini ya ibara ya (2), mtu anastahili kuchaguliwa kama mbunge ikiwa mtu huyo—
    (a) ameandikishwa kama mpiga kura;
    (b) anakidhi matakwa yoyote ya kielimu, ya kiadili na kimaadili yaliyowekwa na Katiba hii au na Sheria ya Bunge; na
    (c) ameteuliwa na chama cha siasa, au ni mgombea huru anayeungwa mkono—
    (i) katika suala la uchaguzi wa Bunge la Kitaifa na wapiga kura angalau elfu moja walioandikishwa katika jimbo hilo la uchaguzi; au
    (ii) katika suala la uchaguzi wa Seneti, na angalau wapiga kura elfu mbili walioandikishwa katika kaunti husika.
    … (Kifungu cha 99)
Legislature
  • English
    Parliament shall enact legislation to promote the representation in Parliament of—
    (a) women;
    (b) persons with disabilities;
    (c) youth;
    (d) ethnic and other minorities; and
    (e) marginalised communities. (Art. 100)
  • Swahili
    Bunge litatunga sheria ili kuimarisha uwakilishi Bungeni wa—
    (a) wanawake;
    (b) watu wenye ulemavu;
    (c) vijana;
    (d) kabila na watu wengine wenye uwakilishi mdogo katika jamii; na
    (e) jamii zilizotengwa. (Kifungu cha 100)
1

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

2

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

Links to all sites last visited 14 February 2024
3
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;...”.
4
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.”
5
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;...”.
6
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.”
7
Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.
8
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;...”.
9
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.”
10
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;...”.
11
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.”
12
Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.
13
Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.