Kenya Governance Series
Parliament of Kenya
A bicameral legislature: the National Assembly representing constituencies and the Senate representing counties — established under Chapter Eight of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
350
National Assembly Seats
68
Senate Seats
418
Total Parliament
47
Counties Represented
Core mandate
Represent the people (Article 94(1))
Make laws (Article 94(2))
Determine public expenditure (Article 95(4))
Oversight over the Executive (Article 95(5))
Protect the Constitution (Article 10 — National Values bind Parliament)
National Assembly
350 seats · Article 95 — Constitution of Kenya 2010Presiding Officers
Majority (Kenya Kwanza)
Majority Leader
Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah
Deputy Majority Leader
Hon. Owen Baya
Majority Whip
Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe
Deputy Majority Whip
Hon. Pauline Njoroge
Minority (Azimio)
Minority Leader
Hon. Junet Mohamed
Deputy Minority Leader
Hon. Robert Mbui
Minority Whip
Hon. Irene Mayaka
Composition
One member per constituency (Article 97(1)(a))
One per county, directly elected (Article 97(1)(b))
Nominated by parties under the two-thirds gender principle (Article 97(1)(c))
Ex-officio — elected by the Assembly (Article 97(2))
Key functions
- →Represent the people of constituencies and special interests (Article 95(1))
- →Deliberate on and resolve issues of concern to the people (Article 95(2))
- →Pass legislation — all Bills may originate here unless specifically Senate-only (Article 109)
- →Determine allocation of national revenue through budget (Article 95(4)(a))
- →Appropriate funds for national government expenditure
- →Exercise oversight over national revenue and expenditure (Article 95(5)(a))
- →Oversee implementation of laws (Article 95(5)(b))
- →Approve declarations of war and extensions of states of emergency
Senate
68 seats · Article 96 — Constitution of Kenya 2010Presiding Officers
Majority (Kenya Kwanza)
Majority Leader
Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot
Deputy Majority Leader
Sen. Hamida Kibwana
Majority Whip
Sen. Mohamed Chute
Minority (Azimio)
Minority Leader
Sen. Stewart Madzayo
Deputy Minority Leader
Sen. Enock Wambua
Minority Whip
Sen. Shakila Abdalla
Composition
One senator elected per county (Article 98(1)(a))
Party-nominated, two-thirds gender principle (Article 98(1)(b))
Two youth nominees — one male, one female (Article 98(1)(c))
Two PWD nominees — one male, one female (Article 98(1)(d))
Ex-officio — elected by the Senate (Article 106)
Key functions
- →Represent the 47 counties of Kenya (Article 96(1))
- →Determine matters concerning county governments (Article 96(2))
- →Consider and pass any legislation concerning counties (Article 96(3))
- →Determine allocation of national revenue among counties (equitable share)
- →Exercise oversight over national revenue allocated to counties (Article 96(4))
- →Mediate and resolve disputes between the national and county governments
- →Participate in legislative process for laws affecting county functions
- →Initiate and debate matters of general public importance (Article 96)
Legislative process
First Reading — Bill introduced; no debate
Second Reading — Principles of the Bill debated and voted on
Committee Stage — House committee examines the Bill clause by clause
Third Reading — Final debate and vote on the whole Bill
Senate consideration (if affects counties or is a Special Bill)
Presidential assent (Article 115) — within 14 days
Constitutional framework
Political coalitions (2022–2027 Parliament)
Government / Majority coalition
Kenya Kwanza Coalition
Led by H.E. William Ruto (President) · Main party: United Democratic Alliance (UDA)
Opposition / Minority coalition
Azimio La Umoja
Led by Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga (ODM) · Main party: Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
National Assembly committees
All National Assembly committees — each chaired by a member elected by the House.
Budget and Appropriations Committee
HouseScrutinize the national budget estimates and appropriations
Finance and National Planning Committee
HouseOversee financial legislation and economic planning
Justice and Legal Affairs Committee
HouseScrutinize legislation and oversee the justice sector
Defence and Foreign Relations Committee
HouseOversight over defence, foreign policy and security
Health Committee
HouseOversight over health policy and services
Education Committee
HouseOversight over education, training and research
Transport, Public Works and Housing Committee
HouseOversight over infrastructure and housing
Environment and Natural Resources Committee
HouseOversight over environment and resource management
Agriculture and Livestock Committee
HouseOversight over agriculture and food security
Trade, Industry and Co-operatives Committee
HouseOversight over trade and industrial policy
ICT and Innovation Committee
HouseOversight over ICT, digital economy and innovation
Labour and Social Welfare Committee
HouseOversight over labour, employment and social protection
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
HouseScrutinize annual accounts and audit reports of government entities
Public Investments and Oversight Committee
HouseOversight over state corporations and public investment
Implementation Committee
HouseTrack implementation of parliamentary resolutions and committee recommendations
Powers and Privileges Committee
HouseEnforce parliamentary discipline and privileges
Liaison Committee
HouseCo-ordinate work among all House committees
Joint Committee on Constitutional Implementation
JointTrack progress of constitutional implementation (joint with Senate)
About this document
This page draws on the Constitution of Kenya 2010 (Chapter Eight, Articles 93–127), the National Assembly Standing Orders, Senate Standing Orders, and official parliamentary records. Leadership positions reflect the 13th Parliament (elected August 2022). Data is compiled by LeadAfrik for civic education purposes.