Arms of Government in Kenya

Kenya’s government operates under three arms at the national level and two arms at the county level, each with distinct roles and responsibilities.

📌 Article 6 of the Kenyan Constitution states that the national and county governments are distinct yet interdependent, and they must cooperate in governance.

1️⃣ National Government

The three arms of the national government are:
✔ The Executive
✔ The Legislature (Parliament)
✔ The Judiciary

1. The National Executive

The Executive arm is responsible for implementing laws and policies.

📍 Composition of the National Executive:
✔ The President – Head of State & Government, Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.
✔ The Deputy President – Principal assistant to the President.
✔ Cabinet Secretaries (14-22 members) – Head various ministries.
✔ The Attorney General – Chief legal advisor to the government.

📍 Functions of the National Executive:
✔ Formulates and implements government policies.
✔ Oversees public administration and national security.
✔ Appoints key government officials.
✔ Represents Kenya in foreign relations.
✔ Prepares the national budget and economic policies.

2. The Legislature (Parliament)

📍 Parliament is bicameral, meaning it has two Houses:
✔ National Assembly
✔ Senate

📍 National Assembly Composition:
✔ 290 elected MPs (one from each constituency).
✔ 47 elected County Women Representatives.
✔ 12 nominated members (representing special interests).
✔ The Speaker (ex officio member).

📍 Senate Composition:
✔ 47 elected Senators (one per county).
✔ 20 nominated members (to represent marginalized groups).
✔ The Speaker (ex officio member).

📍 Functions of Parliament:
✔ Enacts national laws.
✔ Approves the budget and government expenditures.
✔ Oversight of the Executive.
✔ Represents citizens and their interests.
✔ Ensures equal representation of counties (Senate).

3. The Judiciary

📍 The Judiciary interprets and applies the law to ensure justice.

📍 Composition of the Judiciary:
✔ Judges of the Superior Courts
✔ Magistrates
✔ Judicial officers & staff

📍 Judicial Structure:
✔ Supreme Court (highest court).
✔ Court of Appeal.
✔ High Court.
✔ Subordinate Courts (Magistrates’ Courts, Kadhis’ Courts, etc.).

📍 Functions of the Judiciary:
✔ Ensures justice and protects constitutional rights.
✔ Resolves disputes.
✔ Interprets laws and the Constitution.
✔ Exercises judicial review (declaring unconstitutional laws null and void).

2️⃣ County Government

Each of Kenya’s 47 counties has two arms of government:
✔ The County Executive
✔ The County Assembly

📍 1. County Executive
✔ Governor (Head of the county government).
✔ Deputy Governor.
✔ County Executive Committee Members (equivalent to Cabinet Secretaries).

📍 Functions of the County Executive:
✔ Implements county laws and policies.
✔ Prepares and executes the county budget.
✔ Delivers devolved services like health, agriculture, and trade.
✔ Oversees county administration.

📍 2. County Assembly
✔ Elected Ward Representatives (Members of County Assembly – MCAs).
✔ Nominated members (to represent special groups).
✔ The Speaker (ex officio member).

📍 Functions of the County Assembly:
✔ Passes county laws.
✔ Approves county budgets.
✔ Oversees the County Executive.
✔ Represents the interests of county residents.

Summary of Kenya’s Arms of Government

Conclusion

✔ Kenya’s governance structure balances power between the national and county governments.
✔ The Executive implements, the Legislature makes laws, and the Judiciary interprets laws.
✔ At the county level, the Governor and County Assembly handle local governance.

This system ensures separation of powers and checks and balances in governance and service delivery.