The elective positions for the national government allow citizens to elect individuals to represent them at the national level. Article 1 of the Constitution of Kenya states that sovereign power belongs to the people and may be exercised directly or through elected leaders.
Kenya operates as a representative democracy, where citizens elect leaders to serve in two arms of government:
1️⃣ The Executive (The Presidency)
2️⃣ The Legislature (Parliament)
1. The Executive – The Presidency
The Executive arm of government is headed by the President of Kenya, who is elected alongside the Deputy President on a joint ticket.
Qualifications for President and Deputy President
To be eligible to run for President or Deputy President, a person must:
✅ Be a Kenyan citizen by birth.
✅ 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 qualified to stand for election as a Member of Parliament (MP).
✅ 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.
✅ Not be a public officer or holding any state or public office, except for President, Deputy President, or MP.
✅ Meet moral and ethical requirements under the Leadership and Integrity Act.
✅ 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 the President
- A President can serve a maximum of two terms (5 years per term).
- There is no upper age limit for a presidential candidate.
2. The Legislature – Parliament
Parliament is bicameral, meaning it has two houses:
✅ The National Assembly – Consists of Members of the National Assembly (MPs) and County Women Representatives.
✅ The Senate – Consists of Senators.
Qualifications for a Member of Parliament (MP)
A Member of Parliament (MP) refers to both National Assembly Members and Senators. To be eligible to run as an MP, 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 MPs.
✅ 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 MPs and Senators
- MPs and Senators serve a five-year term.
- There is no term limit, meaning they can be re-elected indefinitely.
Conclusion
The national elective positions in Kenya are President, Deputy President, MPs, and Senators. While Presidents are limited to two terms, MPs and Senators can serve unlimited terms if re-elected. These leaders ensure national governance, lawmaking, and representation of citizens at the highest level.
