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KenyaSimplified

Voters

Registering, voting and how elections work.

Guides

In simple words

Political rights

  • You are free to join or form a political party.
    Art. 38(1)(a)

    (a) to form, or participate in forming, a political party;

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  • Every citizen has the right to free and fair elections.
    Art. 38(2)

    (2) Every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections based on universal suffrage and the free expression of the will of the electors for— (a) any elective public body or office established under this Constitution; or (b) any office of any political party of which the citizen is a member.

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  • As an adult citizen, you can register to vote.
    Art. 38(3)(a)

    (a) to be registered as a voter;

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  • Your vote is by secret ballot.
    Art. 38(3)(b)

    (b) to vote by secret ballot in any election or referendum; and

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  • You can be a candidate for public office if you meet the requirements.
    Art. 38(3)(c)

    (c) to be a candidate for public office, or office within a political party of which the citizen is a member and, if elected, to hold office.

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General principles for the electoral system

  • The electoral system must allow citizens to freely exercise their political rights.
    Art. 81(a)

    The electoral system shall comply with the following principles— (a) freedom of citizens to exercise their political rights under Article 38; (b) not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender; (c) fair representation of persons with disabilities; (d) universal suffrage based on the aspiration for fair representation and equality of vote; and (e) free and fair elections, which are— (i) by secret ballot; (ii) free from violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption; (iii) conducted by an independent body; (iv) transparent; and (v) administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner.

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  • Not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender.
    Art. 81(b)

    The electoral system shall comply with the following principles— (a) freedom of citizens to exercise their political rights under Article 38; (b) not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender; (c) fair representation of persons with disabilities; (d) universal suffrage based on the aspiration for fair representation and equality of vote; and (e) free and fair elections, which are— (i) by secret ballot; (ii) free from violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption; (iii) conducted by an independent body; (iv) transparent; and (v) administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner.

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  • There must be fair representation of persons with disabilities.
    Art. 81(c)

    The electoral system shall comply with the following principles— (a) freedom of citizens to exercise their political rights under Article 38; (b) not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender; (c) fair representation of persons with disabilities; (d) universal suffrage based on the aspiration for fair representation and equality of vote; and (e) free and fair elections, which are— (i) by secret ballot; (ii) free from violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption; (iii) conducted by an independent body; (iv) transparent; and (v) administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner.

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  • Elections must be free and fair, by secret ballot, and free from violence, intimidation or corruption.
    Art. 81(e)

    The electoral system shall comply with the following principles— (a) freedom of citizens to exercise their political rights under Article 38; (b) not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender; (c) fair representation of persons with disabilities; (d) universal suffrage based on the aspiration for fair representation and equality of vote; and (e) free and fair elections, which are— (i) by secret ballot; (ii) free from violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption; (iii) conducted by an independent body; (iv) transparent; and (v) administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner.

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Legislation on elections

  • Parliament must make laws about the registration of voters and the conduct of elections.
    Art. 82(1)

    (1) Parliament shall enact legislation to provide for— (a) the delimitation by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of electoral units for election of members of the National Assembly and county assemblies; (b) the nomination of candidates; (c) the continuous registration of citizens as voters; (d) the conduct of elections and referenda and the regulation and efficient supervision of elections and referenda, including the nomination of candidates for elections; and (e) the progressive registration of citizens residing outside Kenya, and the progressive realisation of their right to vote.

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  • Voting must be simple and transparent, and must consider persons with disabilities and others with special needs.
    Art. 82(2)

    (2) Legislation required by clause (1)(d) shall ensure that voting at every election is— (a) simple; (b) transparent; and (c) takes into account the special needs of— (i) persons with disabilities; and (ii) other persons or groups with special needs.

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Registration as a voter

  • You qualify to register as a voter if you are an adult citizen, are not declared of unsound mind, and have not been convicted of an election offence in the last five years.
    Art. 83(1)

    (1) A person qualifies for registration as a voter at elections or referenda if the person— (a) is an adult citizen; (b) is not declared to be of unsound mind; and (c) has not been convicted of an election offence during the preceding five years.

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  • A citizen registers at only one registration centre.
    Art. 83(2)

    (2) A citizen who qualifies for registration as a voter shall be registered at only one registration centre.

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  • Registration arrangements must not deny an eligible citizen the right to vote or stand for election.
    Art. 83(3)

    (3) Administrative arrangements for the registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be designed to facilitate, and shall not deny, an eligible citizen the right to vote or stand for election.

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Candidates for election and political parties to comply with code of conduct

  • In every election, all candidates and political parties must follow the code of conduct set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
    Art. 84

    In every election, all candidates and all political parties shall comply with the code of conduct prescribed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

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Eligibility to stand as an independent candidate

  • You can stand as an independent candidate if you are not a member of a registered political party and have not been one for at least three months before the election.
    Art. 85(a)

    Any person is eligible to stand as an independent candidate for election if the person— (a) is not a member of a registered political party and has not been a member for at least three months immediately before the date of the election; and (b) satisfies the requirements of— (i) Article 99(1)(c)(i) or (ii), in the case of a candidate for election to the National Assembly or the Senate, respectively; or (ii) Article 193(1)(c)(ii), in the case of a candidate for election to a county assembly.

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Voting

  • The electoral commission must ensure the voting system is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent.
    Art. 86(a)

    At every election, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall ensure that— (a) whatever voting method is used, the system is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent; (b) the votes cast are counted, tabulated and the results announced promptly by the presiding officer at each polling station; (c) the results from the polling stations are openly and accurately collated and promptly announced by the returning officer; and (d) appropriate structures and mechanisms to eliminate electoral malpractice are put in place, including the safekeeping of election materials.

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  • Votes must be counted and results announced promptly at each polling station.
    Art. 86(b)

    At every election, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall ensure that— (a) whatever voting method is used, the system is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent; (b) the votes cast are counted, tabulated and the results announced promptly by the presiding officer at each polling station; (c) the results from the polling stations are openly and accurately collated and promptly announced by the returning officer; and (d) appropriate structures and mechanisms to eliminate electoral malpractice are put in place, including the safekeeping of election materials.

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Electoral disputes

  • Parliament must establish ways to settle electoral disputes quickly.
    Art. 87(1)

    (1) Parliament shall enact legislation to establish mechanisms for timely settling of electoral disputes.

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  • Petitions about an election, other than a presidential election, must be filed within 28 days after the results are declared.
    Art. 87(2)

    (2) Petitions concerning an election, other than a presidential election, shall be filed within twenty-eight days after the declaration of the election results by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

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Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission

  • Kenya has an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
    Art. 88(1)

    (1) There is established the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

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  • The Commission registers voters, reviews the voters' roll, delimits constituencies and wards, and settles some electoral disputes.
    Art. 88(4)

    (4) The Commission is responsible for conducting or supervising referenda and elections to any elective body or office established by this Constitution, and any other elections as prescribed by an Act of Parliament and, in particular, for— (a) the continuous registration of citizens as voters; (b) the regular revision of the voters’ roll; (c) the delimitation of constituencies and wards; (d) the regulation of the process by which parties nominate candidates for elections; (e) the settlement of electoral disputes, including disputes relating to or arising from nominations but excluding election petitions and disputes subsequent to the declaration of election results; (f) the registration of candidates for election; (g) voter education; (h) the facilitation of the observation, monitoring and evaluation of elections; (i) the regulation of the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of a candidate or party in respect of any election; (j) the development of a code of conduct for candidates and parties contesting elections; and (k) the monitoring of compliance with the legislation required by Article 82(1)(b) relating to nomination of candidates by parties.

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  • The Commission also regulates how much money candidates and parties may spend.
    Art. 88(4)(i)

    (i) the regulation of the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of a candidate or party in respect of any election;

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Delimitation of electoral units

  • There are 290 constituencies for electing members of the National Assembly.
    Art. 89(1)

    (1) There shall be two hundred and ninety constituencies for the purposes of the election of the members of the National Assembly provided for in Article 97(1)(a).

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  • The electoral commission reviews constituency boundaries every 8 to 12 years.
    Art. 89(2)

    (2) The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall review the names and boundaries of constituencies at intervals of not less than eight years, and not more than twelve years, but any review shall be completed at least twelve months before a general election of members of Parliament.

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  • Anyone may apply to the High Court to review the commission's decision on boundaries.
    Art. 89(10)

    (10) A person may apply to the High Court for review of a decision of the Commission made under this Article.

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Allocation of party list seats

  • Some seats are filled using party lists, based on proportional representation.
    Art. 90(1)

    (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.

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  • Party lists alternate between male and female candidates.
    Art. 90(2)(b)

    (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; and

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Basic requirements for political parties

  • Every political party must have a democratically elected governing body.
    Art. 91(1)(b)

    (b) have a democratically elected governing body;

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  • Parties must promote national unity and must not be founded on a religious, racial, ethnic, gender or regional basis.
    Art. 91(2)(a)

    (a) be founded on a religious, linguistic, racial, ethnic, gender or regional basis or seek to engage in advocacy of hatred on any such basis;

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  • Parties must not engage in violence, bribery or corruption.
    Art. 91(2)(d)

    (d) engage in bribery or other forms of corruption; or

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Legislation on political parties

  • Parliament must make laws about the fair allocation of airtime to political parties.
    Art. 92(a)

    Parliament shall enact legislation to provide for— (a) the reasonable and equitable allocation of airtime, by State-owned and other specified categories of broadcasting media, to political parties either generally or during election campaigns; (b) the regulation of freedom to broadcast in order to ensure fair election campaigning; (c) the regulation of political parties; (d) the roles and functions of political parties; (e) the registration and supervision of political parties; (f) the establishment and management of a political parties fund; (g) the accounts and audit of political parties; (h) restrictions on the use of public resources to promote the interests of political parties; and (i) any other matters necessary for the management of political parties.

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  • Parliament must make laws about the registration and supervision of political parties.
    Art. 92(e)

    Parliament shall enact legislation to provide for— (a) the reasonable and equitable allocation of airtime, by State-owned and other specified categories of broadcasting media, to political parties either generally or during election campaigns; (b) the regulation of freedom to broadcast in order to ensure fair election campaigning; (c) the regulation of political parties; (d) the roles and functions of political parties; (e) the registration and supervision of political parties; (f) the establishment and management of a political parties fund; (g) the accounts and audit of political parties; (h) restrictions on the use of public resources to promote the interests of political parties; and (i) any other matters necessary for the management of political parties.

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  • Parliament must establish a political parties fund.
    Art. 92(f)

    Parliament shall enact legislation to provide for— (a) the reasonable and equitable allocation of airtime, by State-owned and other specified categories of broadcasting media, to political parties either generally or during election campaigns; (b) the regulation of freedom to broadcast in order to ensure fair election campaigning; (c) the regulation of political parties; (d) the roles and functions of political parties; (e) the registration and supervision of political parties; (f) the establishment and management of a political parties fund; (g) the accounts and audit of political parties; (h) restrictions on the use of public resources to promote the interests of political parties; and (i) any other matters necessary for the management of political parties.

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Election of members of Parliament

  • A general election of members of Parliament is held on the second Tuesday in August every fifth year.
    Art. 101(1)

    (1) A general election of members of Parliament shall be held on the second Tuesday in August in every fifth year.

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  • A by-election to fill a vacancy must be held within 90 days.
    Art. 101(4)(b)

    (b) a by-election shall be held within ninety days of the occurrence of the vacancy, subject to clause (5).

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Right of recall

  • Voters have the right to recall the member of Parliament representing their constituency before the end of the term.
    Art. 104(1)

    (1) The electorate under Articles 97 and 98 have the right to recall the member of Parliament representing their constituency before the end of the term of the relevant House of Parliament.

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Election of the President

  • The President is elected by registered voters in a national election.
    Art. 136(1)

    (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.

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  • The election is held on the same day as the general election, the second Tuesday in August every fifth year.
    Art. 136(2)

    (2) An election of the President shall be held— (a) on the same day as a general election of Members of Parliament, being the second Tuesday in August, in every fifth year; or (b) in the circumstances contemplated in Article 146.

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Procedure at presidential election

  • A candidate is elected President if they receive more than half of all votes cast and at least 25% of the votes in more than half of the counties.
    Art. 138(4)

    (4) A candidate shall be declared elected as President if the candidate receives— (a) more than half of all the votes cast in the election; and (b) at least twenty-five per cent of the votes cast in each of more than half of the counties.

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  • If no candidate wins, a fresh election is held within 30 days between the top two candidates.
    Art. 138(5)

    (5) If no candidate is elected, a fresh election shall be held within thirty days after the previous election and in that fresh election the only candidates shall be— (a) the candidate, or the candidates, who received the greatest number of votes; and (b) the candidate, or the candidates, who received the second greatest number of votes.

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  • The chairperson of the IEBC declares the result within seven days after the election.
    Art. 138(10)

    (10) Within seven days after the presidential election, the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall— (a) declare the result of the election; and (b) deliver a written notification of the result to the Chief Justice and the incumbent President.

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Election of county governor and deputy county governor

  • The county governor is directly elected by the voters registered in the county, on the second Tuesday in August every fifth year.
    Art. 180(1)

    (1) The county governor shall be directly elected by the voters registered in the county, on the same day as a general election of Members of Parliament, being the second Tuesday in August, in every fifth year.

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  • Each candidate for governor nominates a running mate as candidate for deputy governor.
    Art. 180(5)

    (5) Each candidate for election as county governor shall nominate a person who is qualified for nomination for election as county governor as a candidate for deputy governor.

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  • A person may not hold office as county governor for more than two terms.
    Art. 180(7)(a)

    (a) as a county governor for more than two terms; or

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