The County Women Representative is a Member of Parliament (MP) elected to represent women at the county level in the National Assembly. This position was created under affirmative action to increase women’s participation in leadership.
🔹 Legal Basis: Article 97 of the Constitution provides for 47 County Women Representatives, one per county.
🔷 Qualifications for County Women Representative
To qualify for election as a County Women Representative, a person must:
✔ Be a Kenyan citizen for at least 10 years before the election.
✔ Not hold dual citizenship unless obtained by operation of 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 the moral and ethical requirements under the Leadership and Integrity Act.
✔ Not be a public officer or hold another State or public office.
✔ Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
✔ Not be a person of unsound mind.
✔ Not be serving a sentence of imprisonment of six months or more.
✔ Not have been found guilty of misuse of office or violation of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
✔ Not have been dismissed from public office for violating Articles 75, 76, 77, and 78 of the Constitution.
▶ Minimum Age Requirement: 18 years old (No maximum age limit).
▶ Education Requirement:
- The 2022 elections required a university degree from a recognized institution.
- However, Petition No. 28 of 2021 nullified the degree requirement, making it unconstitutional.
🔹 Requirements for Nomination
A party or independent candidate must submit the following documents to IEBC:
📌 General Requirements
✔ Certified copy of National ID or Passport (used for voter registration).
✔ Passport-size photo (white background, soft and hard copy).
✔ Letter of discharge from employer (for public officers).
✔ Nomination certificate (for party candidates).
✔ Signed Electoral Code of Conduct (Second Schedule, Elections Act).
📌 Commission Nomination Form 15 (IEBC Form)
✔ Statutory Declaration Form (signed within a month before nomination day).
✔ Self-Declaration Form (Leadership and Integrity Act).
✔ Names of proposer and seconder (both must be registered voters).
- For party candidates, both must belong to the same party.
- For independent candidates, both must not be members of any party.
🔹 Additional Requirements for Independent Candidates
✔ Clearance Certificate from Registrar of Political Parties (confirming non-membership in any party three months before elections).
✔ Form of Intention to Contest (as per election regulations).
✔ List of at least 1,000 supporters (in soft and hard copy, submitted to the County Returning Officer).
✔ Symbol for the election (approved by IEBC under Section 32 of the Elections Act, 2011).
✔ Functioning campaign office within the county, accessible for IEBC inspection.
🔴 Nomination Fees for County Women Representative
✔ KES 10,000 (paid via Banker’s Cheque to IEBC).
📌 Key Takeaways
✅ Each of the 47 counties elects one Woman Representative to the National Assembly.
✅ No degree requirement (court nullified it in 2021).
✅ Must meet integrity, voter registration, and other moral/ethical requirements.
✅ Independent candidates must submit additional documents, including a list of 1,000 supporters.
✅ Nomination fee is KES 10,000.
🔴 Conclusion:
The County Women Representative position is a crucial elective seat under affirmative action, ensuring women’s representation in Parliament. Candidates must meet constitutional requirements, and independent aspirants have extra obligations, such as gathering 1,000 supporters. 🚀
