A Member of the County Assembly (MCA) plays a crucial role in Kenya’s devolved government system, representing citizens at the county level. The MCA’s key functions include:
✔ Representation – Acting as the voice of the people in county governance.
✔ Legislation – Making and amending county laws.
✔ Oversight – Ensuring accountability in the county executive.
📌 Qualifications for Election as an MCA
To qualify as a Member of the County Assembly (MCA), a candidate must:
✔ Be a Kenyan citizen for at least 10 years before the election.
✔ Be a registered voter in Kenya.
✔ Be nominated by a political party or run as an independent candidate.
✔ Meet moral and ethical standards as per the Leadership and Integrity Act.
✔ Not be a public officer or holding a state office (except as an MCA).
✔ Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
✔ Not be of unsound mind.
✔ Not have been sentenced to imprisonment for at least six months.
✔ Not have violated Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.
✔ Not owe allegiance to a foreign state (except where dual citizenship was obtained automatically).
✔ Not have been dismissed from public office for violating the Constitution.
🔹 Minimum Age: 18 years
🔹 No Maximum Age Limit
📌 Educational Requirements for MCAs
Previously: A university degree was required under Section 22 of the Elections Act.
Current Status: The High Court declared this requirement unconstitutional due to lack of public participation.
📌 As of now, no university degree is required for MCAs unless the law is amended.
📌 Additional Requirements During Nomination
📌 A candidate must submit the following documents to the IEBC:
✔ National ID or Passport (as used during voter registration).
✔ Passport-size photograph (electronic and hard copy).
✔ Letter of resignation (if a public officer, at least 6 months before elections).
✔ Nomination certificate (if running under a political party).
✔ Signed Code of Conduct (as per the Elections Act).
✔ Commission Nomination Form 18, including:
- Statutory Declaration Form
- Self-Declaration Form (on integrity & leadership)
✔ Names, ID numbers, and signatures of a proposer and seconder (registered voters in the ward).
📌 Additional Requirements for Independent Candidates
✔ Registrar of Political Parties Clearance Certificate (to prove no party affiliation 3 months before elections).
✔ 500 signatures from registered voters in the ward.
✔ Copies of ID cards of those 500 voters.
✔ Form of Intention to Contest (as prescribed by IEBC).
✔ Approved election symbol (as per Section 32 of the Elections Act).
✔ Physical office within the ward, available for IEBC inspection.
📌 Nomination Fees for MCAs
📌 Non-refundable fees paid to IEBC via banker’s cheque:
✔ KES 2,500 – Youth, Women, and Persons with Disabilities (below 35 years).
✔ KES 5,000 – Other candidates.
📌 MCA Term Limit
📌 Each term lasts 5 years.
📌 No term limits – An MCA can run for re-election indefinitely.
🚀 Summary
✔ MCAs play a key role in county governance through representation, legislation, and oversight.
✔ Candidates must be Kenyan citizens, registered voters, and meet integrity standards.
✔ No degree is currently required due to a High Court ruling.
✔ Independent candidates have additional requirements (signatures, clearance, and an office).
✔ MCA position has no term limits – can be re-elected multiple times.
🚀 MCAs are vital in ensuring accountability and development at the county level!
