The Government Structure
The Government of Kenya as prescribed under the Constitution consists of:
- the Executive;
- the Legislature;
- the Judiciary; and
- the Devolved Government.
1. The Executive
The President of the Republic of Kenya, the Deputy President and the Cabinet Secretaries constitute the executive arm of the Kenya Government.
The President is the Head of State and Government, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya, and the chairperson of the National Security Council. For further information on the President, please click on the following link: www.president.go.ke.
The Deputy President is the President’s principal assistant. For further information on the Deputy President, please go to the following website: www.deputypresident.go.ke.
The current President of Kenya is His Excellency Hon. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., sworn into office on September 13, 2022 as the fifth (5th) President of the Republic of Kenya. The Deputy President is Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, also sworn into office on September 13, 2022. Both the President and his Deputy are elected directly by the people for a term of five (5) years.
2. The Parliament
The Parliament of Kenya is a bicameral house consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate.
The National Assembly has a total of 349 members including the speaker who is an ex-officio member. Article 95 of the Constitution establishes that the National Assembly shall consist of the following: two hundred and ninety (290) members, each elected by the registered voters of single member constituencies; forty seven (47) women, each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county consisting of a single member constituency; twelve (12) members nominated by parliamentary political parties according to their proportion of members of the National Assembly in accordance to Article 90, to represent special interests including the youth, persons with disabilities and workers; and the Speaker who is an ex-officio member.
The Senate Consists of 67 members plus the Speaker, who is an ex-officio member. Article 98 of the Constitution establishes that the Senate shall consist of the following: forty seven (47) members each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county constituting a single member constituency; Sixteen (16) women members who shall be nominated by political parties according to their proportion of members of the senate elected under clause (a) in accordance with Article 90; two (2) members, being one man and one woman, representing persons with disabilities; and the Speaker, who shall be an ex-officio member.
The members of the National Assembly are referred as Members of Parliament (MP) while the Members of the Senate are referred as Senators. Both the MPs and Senators serve a 5-year term.
For further information on the Parliament, please click on the following link: www.parliament.go.ke
3. The Judiciary
The Judiciary is divided into Superior Courts and Subordinate Courts. The Superior Courts are: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court in Kenya. The Subordinate Courts are: the Magistrates Courts, the Kadhi Courts, the Courts Martial and the Tribunals. For further information on the Judiciary, please click on the following link: www.judiciary.go.ke
4. The Devolved Government
The Kenyan Constitution establishes 47 Counties, each with its own government. The County governments consist of the County assembly and the County executive. The County Governor is the head of the County executive.
Kenya Government
Appended here below are links to the different Ministries which comprise the Government of Kenya;
Statehouse, Kenya – www.president.go.ke
Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs – www.mfa.go.ke
Ministry of Interior & Coordination of National Government(Department of Immigration) – www.immigration.go.ke
Ministry of Devolution & Planning- www.devolutionplanning.go.ke
Ministry of Defence – www.mod.go.ke
Ministry of Health – www.health.go.ke
Ministry of Education- www.education.go.ke
Ministry of Information, Communications & Technology – www.communication.go.ke
Ministry of East African Community – www.meac.go.ke
Ministry of Commerce, Tourism & East Africa Region – www.tourism.go.ke
Ministry of Industrialization & Enterprise Development – www.industrialization.go.ke
Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure – www.transport.go.ke
Ministry of Energy & Petroleum – www.energy.go.ke
Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resource – www.environment.go.ke
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries – www.kilimo.go.ke
Ministry of Mining – www.mining.go.ke
Ministry of Land, Housing & Urban Development – www.ardhi.go.ke
Ministry of Sports, Culture & the Arts – www.minspoca.go.ke
Ministry of Labour, Social Security & Services – www.labour.go.ke
The National Treasury – www.treasury.go.ke
