Constituencies of Kenya

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Constituencies of Kenya
Constituencies of Kenya.svg
The 290 constituencies of Kenya
Category Electoral district
Location Kenya
Number290 (as of 2012)
Government
Subdivisions
  • Electoral wards

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 National Assembly. The constituencies are further divided into electoral wards.

Contents

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 increased from 117 at independence to 290 in 2013. There have been four major constituency delineations since independence: in 1966, 1986, 1996 and 2012. In 1966, the number rose from 117 to 158, to accommodate senators from the abolished Senate of Kenya. 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 158 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 the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conduct a boundary review at 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]

Former Coast Province

Constituencies and population
CountyPopulation (2019)Number of seatsConstituencies
Mombasa 1,208,33361. Changamwe
2. Jomvu
3. Kisauni
4. Nyali
5. Likoni
6. Mvita
Kwale County 866,82047. Msambweni
8. Lunga Lunga
9. Matuga
10. Kinango
Kilifi County 1,453,787711. Kilifi North
12. Kilifi South
13. Kaloleni
14. Rabai
15. Ganze
16. Malindi
17. Magarini
Tana River County 315,943318. Garsen
19. Galole
20. Bura
Lamu County 143,920221. Lamu East
22. Lamu West
Taita–Taveta County 340,671423. Taveta
24. Wundanyi
25. Mwatate
26. Voi

Former North Eastern Province

Former North Eastern Province North Eastern in Kenya.svg
Former North Eastern Province

Garissa County

Wajir County

Mandera County

Former Eastern Province

Former Eastern Province Eastern in Kenya.svg
Former Eastern Province

Marsabit County

Isiolo County

Meru County

Tharaka-Nithi County

Embu County

Kitui County

Machakos County

Makueni County

Former Central Province

Former Central Province Central in Kenya.svg
Former Central Province

Nyandarua County

Nyeri County

Kirinyaga County

Murang'a County

Kiambu County

Former Rift Valley Province

Former Rift Valley Province Rift Valley in Kenya.svg
Former Rift Valley Province

Turkana County

West Pokot County

Samburu County

Trans-Nzoia County

Uasin Gishu County

Elgeyo-Marakwet County

Nandi County

Baringo County

Laikipia County

Nakuru County

Narok County

Kajiado County

Kericho County

Bomet County

Former Western Province

Former Western Province Western in Kenya.svg
Former Western Province

Kakamega County

Vihiga County

Bungoma County

Busia County

Former Nyanza Province

Former Nyanza Province Nyanza in Kenya.svg
Former Nyanza Province

Siaya County

Kisumu County

Homa Bay County

Migori County

Kisii County

Nyamira County

Former Nairobi Province

Former Nairobi Province Nairobi in Kenya (special marker).svg
Former Nairobi Province

Nairobi County

ConstituencyWards (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.
  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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