The elective positions for the county government enable citizens to exercise their sovereign power through democratically elected representatives. Article 1 of the Constitution of Kenya states that sovereign power belongs to the people and may be exercised directly or through elected leaders at the county level.
The two key elective positions at the county government level are:
1️⃣ County Governor (and Deputy Governor)
2️⃣ Members of the County Assembly (MCAs)
1. County Governor and Deputy Governor (Executive Arm)
The County Governor is the chief executive officer of the county and is elected alongside the Deputy Governor on a joint ticket.
Qualifications for Governor and Deputy Governor
To qualify as a Governor or Deputy Governor, a person must:
✅ Be a Kenyan citizen for at least 10 years before the election.
✅ Not hold dual citizenship (unless the second citizenship was acquired by law without the ability to opt-out).
✅ Not owe allegiance to a foreign state.
✅ Be a registered voter.
✅ Hold a degree from a university recognized in Kenya.
✅ Be nominated by a political party or run as an independent candidate.
✅ Be eligible to be elected as a Member of the County Assembly (MCA).
✅ Meet moral and ethical requirements under the Leadership and Integrity Act.
✅ Not be a public officer or holding any state or public office, except for an MCA.
✅ Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
✅ Not be a person of unsound mind.
✅ Not be convicted and sentenced to imprisonment of at least six months.
✅ Not have been found guilty of abusing public office or violating Chapter Six of the Constitution.
✅ Not have been dismissed from public office for violating Articles 75, 76, 77, or 78 of the Constitution.
Term Limits for County Governors
- A Governor can serve for a maximum of two terms (5 years per term).
- There is no upper age limit for a candidate running for Governor or Deputy Governor.
2. Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) – County Assembly Arm
MCAs (Ward Representatives) represent specific electoral wards within a county in the County Assembly. They form the legislative arm of the county government.
Qualifications for a Member of the County Assembly (MCA)
To qualify as an MCA, a person must:
✅ Be a Kenyan citizen for at least 10 years before the election.
✅ Not hold dual citizenship (unless the second citizenship was acquired by law without the ability to opt-out).
✅ Not owe allegiance to a foreign state.
✅ Be a registered voter.
✅ Be nominated by a political party or run as an independent candidate.
✅ Meet moral and ethical requirements under the Leadership and Integrity Act.
✅ Not be a public officer or holding any state or public office, except for an MCA.
✅ Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
✅ Not be a person of unsound mind.
✅ Not be convicted and sentenced to imprisonment of at least six months.
✅ Not have been found guilty of abusing public office or violating Chapter Six of the Constitution.
✅ Not have been dismissed from public office for violating Articles 75, 76, 77, or 78 of the Constitution.
Term Limits for MCAs
- MCAs serve a five-year term.
- Unlike governors, MCAs do not have a term limit and can be re-elected indefinitely.
Conclusion
The elective positions in Kenya’s county governments allow citizens to be represented at the county executive and legislative levels. While Governors can only serve for two terms, MCAs can be re-elected indefinitely. These positions are crucial in ensuring decentralized governance and representation of local interests at the county level.
