To vie for the presidency in Kenya, a candidate must meet specific constitutional and legal requirements set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). These requirements apply to both the president and the deputy president, as they run on a single ticket.
📌 Qualifications for the Presidency in Kenya
To qualify as a presidential candidate, a person must:
✅ Be a Kenyan citizen by birth.
✅ Not hold dual citizenship, unless the second citizenship was acquired by operation of law without an option to opt out.
✅ Not owe allegiance to a foreign state.
✅ Be qualified to stand for election as a Member of Parliament.
✅ Be a registered voter.
✅ Hold a degree from a university recognized in Kenya.
✅ Be nominated by a political party or stand as an independent candidate.
✅ Not be a public officer or act in any state or public office, except if already serving as President, Deputy President, or Member of Parliament.
✅ Meet the moral and ethical requirements under the Leadership and Integrity Act.
✅ Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
✅ Not be of unsound mind.
✅ Not be serving a prison sentence of at least six months at the time of registration or elections.
✅ Not have been found guilty of abuse or misuse of public office or violation of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
✅ Not have been dismissed or removed from public office for violating Articles 75, 76, 77, or 78 of the Constitution.
🔹 Age Requirement: The minimum age to run for president is 18 years. The Constitution does not set an upper age limit.
📌 Requirements for Presidential Candidacy
A party or independent candidate must submit specific documents to IEBC during the nomination process. These include:
✔ Certified copies of academic qualifications, including the degree certificate.
✔ If the degree was obtained outside Kenya, the Commission for University Education (CUE) must authenticate it.
✔ Certified copy of a national ID or valid passport (the one used to register as a voter).
✔ Passport-size photograph (white background, submitted in hard and soft copies).
✔ If previously a public officer, a letter of resignation confirming they left office six months before the election date. (Not applicable to elected officials like MPs, Governors, and the Deputy President).
✔ If party-affiliated, a nomination certificate from a registered political party, signed by an authorized party official.
✔ A duly signed Electoral Code of Conduct (Second Schedule of the Elections Act, 2011).
📌 Key Nomination Forms
The candidate or their agent must submit Form 12 to the IEBC, including:
📄 Statutory Declaration Form (made within a month before nomination day).
📄 Self-Declaration Form (as per the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012).
📄 Soft and hard copies of at least 2,000 supporters from a majority of counties.
📄 Names of a proposer and a seconder, who must be registered voters.
🔹 Political Party Candidates: Proposer and seconder must be party members.
🔹 Independent Candidates: Proposer and seconder must not belong to any political party.
📌 Additional Requirements for Independent Candidates
Independent candidates must meet extra conditions, including:
📌 Clearance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties, confirming non-membership in any political party for at least three months before the election.
📌 Form of Intention to Contest, signed and submitted to IEBC.
📌 A unique symbol, approved by IEBC, to be used on the ballot.
📌 Functioning campaign offices within Kenya, which must be available for IEBC inspection.
📌 Nomination Fees for Presidential Candidates
📌 KES 200,000 – For general candidates.
📌 KES 100,000 – For special interest groups (women, youth below 35 years, and persons with disabilities).
🔹 Payment Mode: Fees must be paid via Banker’s Cheque to IEBC.
📝 Final Thoughts
Running for President of Kenya is a rigorous process requiring strict adherence to constitutional, academic, and ethical qualifications. Candidates must ensure compliance with IEBC guidelines, proper public engagement, and legal clarity to secure eligibility. ✅
