Kenya

Government

Kenya is governed under the constitution of 2010, but the present government was elected under the previous charter. The president, who is the head of state, is popularly elected for a five-year term and is eligible for a second term. The prime minister (a post abolished in 1964, reestablished in 2008, and abolished again in 2010) is the head of government. The unicameral legislature consists of the 224-seat National Assembly or Bunge. There are 210 members who are popularly elected to serve five-year terms, 12 who are appointed by the president, and two ex-officio members. Administratively, the country is divided into seven provinces and the capital area. Under the new constitution, the president will be head of state and government, there will be a bicameral legislature, and the country will be divided into 47 counties.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.