Government and Politics of Kenya

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western

Legal System

based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022); Deputy President Rigathi GACHAGUA (since 13 September 2022); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022); Deputy President Rigathi GACHAGUA (since 13 September 2022); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); to avoid a runoff, the winning candidate must receive more than 50% of all votes cast, as well as at least 25% of the votes in at least 24 of Kenya's 47 counties; election last held on 9 August 2022 (next to be held in August 2027); deputy president appointed by the president election results: William RUTO elected president in the first round; percent of vote - William RUTO 50.5%, Raila ODINGA 48.9%, other 0.6%

Legislative Branch

unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 so-called “nominated” members who are appointed by the president but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members) elections: last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held by early 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NARC 125, KANU 64, FORD-P 14, other 7; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - NARC 7, KANU 4, FORD-P 1

Judicial Branch

Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High Court

Political Parties

Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People [Kimaniwa NYOIKE, chairman]; Kenya African National Union or KANU [Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Mwai KIBAKI] - the governing party

Head of State

President Mwai KIBAKI

Head of Government

President Mwai KIBAKI

Cabinet

note - the roles of the president and prime minister are not well defined at this juncture; constitutionally, the president remains chief of state and head of government, but the prime minister is charged with coordinating government business cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and headed by the prime minister, who is the leader of the largest party in parliament

Elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya’s seven provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); vice president appointed by the president

Election Results

President Mwai KIBAKI reelected; percent of vote - Mwai KIBAKI 46%, Raila ODINGA 44%, Kalonzo MUSYOKA 9%

Constitution

12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2001

Independence

12 December 1963 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 12 December (1963)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard NGAITHE chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador William M. BELLAMY embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Ave., Gigiri; P. O. Box 606 Village Market Nairobi mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (20) 537-800 FAX: [254] (20) 537-810

Capital City

Nairobi

Location

1 17 S, 36 49 E

Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

the name derives from the Maasai expression meaning "cool waters" and refers to a cold water stream that flowed through the area in the late 19th century

U.S. Embassy Nairobi United Nations Avenue Gagarin, Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: (254) (20) 363-6451 Emergency after-hours telephone: (254) (20) 363-6000

Military Branches

Kenya Defence Forces: Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, Kenya Navy

Service Age and Obligation

18-26 years of age for male and female voluntary service (under 18 with parental consent), with a 9-year obligation (7 years for Kenyan Navy); applicants must be Kenyan citizens and provide a national identity card (obtained at age 18) and a school-leaving certificate; women serve under the same terms and conditions as men; mandatory retirement at age 55