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How government works

Kenya operates a two-tier system of government: the national government and 47 county governments. Both levels are established under the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

The Executive

The national executive authority is vested in the President, who is both Head of State and Head of Government, and the Deputy President. The Cabinet assists the President in the exercise of executive authority.

President

Elected directly by Kenyan citizens for a five-year term. The President may serve a maximum of two terms. The President appoints the Cabinet, senior government officials, and heads of constitutional bodies subject to parliamentary approval.

Deputy President

Elected on the same ticket as the President. The Deputy President is the principal assistant to the President and deputises in the President's absence. The Deputy President also leads specific government initiatives as assigned by the President.

The Cabinet

The Cabinet consists of the President, Deputy President, and Cabinet Secretaries heading the 22 national ministries. Cabinet Secretaries are appointed by the President subject to National Assembly approval.

View all 22 ministriesShow ▼
View all government organisations →

Parliament

Parliament is Kenya's legislative authority. It consists of the National Assembly and the Senate. Parliament makes national laws, controls public finance, and provides oversight of the national executive.

National Assembly

Consists of 350 members serving five-year terms:

  • 290 constituency representatives (one per constituency)
  • 47 women representatives (one per county)
  • 12 nominated members (special interests)
  • 1 Speaker (ex officio)

The Senate

Consists of 67 senators serving five-year terms:

  • 47 county senators (one per county, elected)
  • 16 nominated women senators
  • 2 nominated youth representatives
  • 2 nominated persons with disabilities
Role of the Senate: The Senate primarily represents county governments and deliberates on matters affecting counties. Bills relating to county governments must be passed by both houses. The Senate has special powers to protect devolution.

The Judiciary

The Judiciary is independent and exercises judicial authority in Kenya. It is headed by the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, who are appointed by the President on recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, subject to Senate approval.

1

Supreme Court

The highest court in Kenya. Has exclusive jurisdiction on presidential election disputes. Hears appeals from the Court of Appeal on matters of general public importance.

Chief Justice + 6 Justices

2

Court of Appeal

Hears appeals from the High Court and other courts. Sits in multiple centres across the country including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nyeri.

Judges of Appeal

3

High Court

Has unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. Also hears appeals from subordinate courts and has judicial review powers over executive and administrative decisions.

High Court Judges

4

Employment and Labour Relations Court

Specialised court with jurisdiction over employment disputes, labour relations, and matters arising from trade union activity.

Judges

5

Environment and Land Court

Has jurisdiction over matters relating to the environment, use and occupation of land, and disputes concerning land titles and boundaries.

Judges

6

Magistrates Courts

The most accessible courts for most Kenyans. Resident Magistrates, Principal Magistrates, Senior Resident Magistrates, and Chief Magistrates handle the bulk of criminal and civil cases.

Magistrates

Judicial independence: The Constitution guarantees the independence of the Judiciary. Judges may only be removed through a process involving a tribunal appointed by the President on recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission. No person or authority may interfere with courts in the exercise of judicial functions.

County Governments

Kenya has 47 county governments, each headed by a Governor and Deputy Governor elected by county residents for a five-year term. County governments exercise legislative and executive authority within their territory. Each county also has a County Assembly of elected members (ward representatives).

47

County governments

Governor

Executive head of each county

County Assembly

Legislative arm of each county

County government functions

The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution sets out functions exclusively assigned to county governments:

View county government functions (Fourth Schedule)
  • 1.Agriculture (including livestock)
  • 2.County health services
  • 3.Control of air pollution and noise
  • 4.Cultural activities, public entertainment and public amenities
  • 5.County transport
  • 6.Animal control and welfare
  • 7.Trade development and regulation
  • 8.County planning and development
  • 9.Pre-primary education
  • 10.Village polytechnics and home craft centres
  • 11.Childcare facilities
  • 12.Implementation of national government policies on natural resources
  • 13.County public works and services
  • 14.Firefighting services and disaster management
  • 15.County co-operative societies
Revenue sharing: The Constitution requires that at least 15% of the most recent audited national revenue is allocated to county governments. The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) advises on the equitable sharing of this revenue among the 47 counties.
Find your county →

Independent Constitutional Offices and Commissions

The Constitution establishes several independent offices and commissions to provide checks and balances, protect rights, and ensure accountability in public life. These bodies are independent of the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

  • Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)

    Conducts and supervises elections and referenda

  • Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC)

    Promotes and protects human rights

  • Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)

    Investigates and prevents corruption

  • Kenya National Audit Office (KENAO)

    Audits public accounts of the national and county governments

  • Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman)

    Investigates maladministration in public bodies

  • National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC)

    Promotes peaceful coexistence among Kenyans

  • Controller of Budget

    Oversees the implementation of the national and county budgets

  • Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)

    Sets and reviews remuneration for public officers

  • National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC)

    Promotes gender equality and freedom from discrimination

  • Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA)

    Recommends equitable sharing of revenue between governments

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