Parliament of Kenya

The Parliament of Kenya (Swahili: Majilisi la Kenya) is the bicamerallegislature of Kenya. It is based at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi and consists of two houses. The upper house is the Senate, and the lower house is the National Assembly.

Kenya’s current structure of parliament is a result of the creation and ratification of the Constitution of 2010 after widespread turmoil following the 2007 elections. This amendment created 47 counties and gave them significant powers, effectively working to decentralize the government. It also established the bicameral legislature of an assembly and a senate, which was first used in the 2013 elections. The Senate has 68 members including one elected from each county (of which there are 47), 16 female senators who are nominated by political parties, 4 members to represent those with disabilities and the youth, and a Speaker who is also nominated. The second legislative body is the National Assembly, which totals 350 members. This includes 290 Members of Parliament (MPs), 47 women who are each elected from a county, 12 members nominated by political parties to represent special interests like those of disabled people and youth, and a Speaker.