Constituencies of Kenya

Last updated

Constituencies of Kenya
Kenya constituencies 2012.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 Parliament. The constituencies are further divided to 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 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 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 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
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

II. Former North Eastern Province

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

7. Garissa County

8. Wajir County

9. Mandera County

III. Former Eastern Province

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

10. Marsabit County

11. Isiolo County

12. Meru County

13. Tharaka-Nithi County

14. Embu County

15. Kitui County

16. Machakos County

17. Makueni County

IV. Former Central Province

Former Central Province. Central in Kenya.svg
Former Central Province.

18. Nyandarua County

19. Nyeri County

20. Kirinyaga County

21. Murang'a County

22. Kiambu County

V. Former Rift Valley Province

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

23. Turkana County

24. West Pokot County

25. Samburu County

26. Trans-Nzoia County

27. Uasin Gishu County

28. Elgeyo-Marakwet County

29. Nandi County

30. Baringo County

31. Laikipia County

32. Nakuru County

33. Narok County

34. Kajiado County

35. Kericho County

36. Bomet County

VI. Former Western Province

Former Western Province. Western in Kenya.svg
Former Western Province.

37. Kakamega County

38. Vihiga County

39. Bungoma County

40. Busia County

VII. Former Nyanza Province

Former Nyanza Province. Nyanza in Kenya.svg
Former Nyanza Province.

41. Siaya County

42. Kisumu County

43. Homa Bay County

44. Migori County

45. Kisii County

46. Nyamira County

VIII. Former Nairobi Province

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

47. 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

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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.