Constituencies of Kenya

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The constituencies of Kenya are used to elect members of the National Assembly, the lower chamber of the Kenyan Parliament. In accordance with Article 89 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, there are 290 constituencies, based on a formula where these constituencies were to be delineated based on population numbers. Each constituency returns one Member of Parliament. The constituencies are further divided to electoral wards.

Overview

Constituencies were introduced to Kenya during the colonial era. The first general election was held in 1920 in the then East Africa Protectorate, with 11 constituencies. Between 1920 and 1956, the number of constituencies rose from 11 to 28. In 1962, prior to independence the following year, the Royal Commission was tasked to create 100 constituencies. The independence Constitution of Kenya provided that for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives, the constituencies should be between 110 and 130. The Royal Commission drew 117 constituencies, across the 40 districts and Nairobi region.[1][2] The number of constituencies have increased from 117 constitiencies at independence to 290 constituencies in 2013. There have been four major constituency delineation since independence; in 1966, 1986, 1996 and 2012. In 1966, the number rose from 117 to 158 accommodate senators from the abolished Senate of Kenya. It is at this point the House of Representatives was renamed National Assembly. In 1986, an act of parliament allowed the number of constituencies to be increased from 157 to 188. The constituencies were effected during the 1988 Kenyan general election. In 1996, the number of constituencies was increased from 188 to 210.[3] The number remained the same until the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, increased the number of constituencies to 290, which based on a formula where these constituencies were to be delineated based on population numbers. Each constituency returns one Member of Parliament. The constitution mandates that Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct boundary review in a minimum of eight years and a maximum of twelve years. Since the last boundaries review was conducted in March 2012, by August 2024, long after the 12-year deadline, no review has been conducted. This is attributed to the fact that there is no functioning IEBC, since most of all commissioners either resigned or retired at some point between 2022 and 2023.[4]

I. Former Coast Province

Constituencies and Population
County Population (2019) Number of Seats Constituencies
Mombasa 1,208,333 6 1. Changamwe
2. Jomvu
3. Kisauni
4. Nyali
5. Likoni
6. Mvita
Kwale County 866,820 4 7. Msambweni
8. Lunga Lunga
9. Matuga
10. Kinango
Kilifi County 1,453,787 7 11. Kilifi North
12. Kilifi South
13. Kaloleni
14. Rabai
15. Ganze
16. Malindi
17. Magarini
Tana River County 315,943 3 18. Garsen
19. Galole
20. Bura
Lamu County 143,920 2 21. Lamu East
22. Lamu West
Taita–Taveta County 340,671 4 23. Taveta
24. Wundanyi
25. Mwatate
26. Voi
Former North Eastern Province.

III. Former Eastern Province

Former Eastern Province.

IV. Former Central Province

Former Central Province.
Former Rift Valley Province.

VI. Former Western Province

Former Western Province.

VII. Former Nyanza Province

Former Nyanza Province.

VIII. Former Nairobi Province

Former Nairobi Province.
  • Population (2009): 3,138,369.
  • Current number of seats: 17.
Constituency Wards (85)
274. Westlands Kitisuru • Parklands/Highridge • Karura • Kangemi • Mountain View
275. Dagoretti North Kilimani • Kawangware • Gatina • Kileleshwa • Kabiro
276. Dagoretti South Mutu-ini • Ngand'o • Riruta • Uthiru/Ruthimitu • Waithaka
277. Lang'ata Karen • Nairobi West • Mugumo-ini • South C • Nyayo Highrise
278. Kibra Laini Saba • Lindi • Mákina • Woodley/Kenyatta Golf Course • Sarang'ombe
279. Roysambu Githurai • Kahawa West • Zimmerman • Roysambu • Kahawa
280. Kasarani Clay City • Mwiki • Kasarani • Njiru • Ruai
281. Ruaraka Babadogo • Utalii • Mathare North • Lucky Summer • Korogocho
282. Embakasi South Imara Daima • Kwa Njenga • Kwa Reuben • Pipeline • Kware
283. Embakasi North Kariobangi North • Dandora Area I • Dandora Area II • Dandora Area III • Dandora Area IV
284. Embakasi Central Kayole North • Kayole Central • Kayole South • Komarock • Matopeni/Spring Valley
285. Embakasi East Upper Savanna • Lower Savanna • Embakasi • Utawala • Mihang'o
286. Embakasi West Umoja I • Umoja II • Mowlem • Kariobangi South
287. Makadara Makongeni • Maringo/Hamza • Harambee • Viwandani
288. Kamukunji Pumwani • Eastleigh North • Eastleigh South • Airbase • California
289. Starehe Nairobi Central • Ngara • Ziwani/Kariokor • Pangani • Landimawe • Nairobi South
290. Mathare Hospital • Mabatini • Huruma • Ngei • Mlango Kubwa • Kiamaiko

References

  1. ^ "Constituencies (Hansard, 27 May 1963)". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  2. ^ "The Kenya Gazette: Vol. LVX–No.16" (PDF). Archives Gazette Africa. 9 April 1963. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Delimitation of Constituencies And Recommendations On Local Authority Electoral Units And Administrative Boundaries For Districts And Other Units" (PDF). IEBC. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Kisia, Allan (15 August 2023). "Lobby petitions MPs to ensure boundary review beats deadline". The Star (Kenya). Retrieved 6 August 2024.
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