Kenya’s political landscape is defined by its constituencies, which are the electoral districts used for the election of Members of Parliament (MPs) to the National Assembly. These constituencies play a pivotal role in ensuring democratic representation across the country. As of 2012, Kenya is divided into 290 constituencies, each electing one MP, and these constituencies are further subdivided into electoral wards.
| The 290 constituencies of Kenya | |
| Category | Electoral district |
|---|---|
| Location | Kenya |
| Number | 290 (as of 2012) |
| Government | National Assembly |
| Subdivisions | Electoral wards |
The constituencies in Kenya serve as the fundamental building blocks of the electoral system, allowing citizens to vote for their local and national representatives. The creation and realignment of constituencies have evolved throughout Kenya’s history, with significant reforms implemented after the 1997 general elections, leading to the current structure outlined in the 2010 Constitution.
History of Constituencies in Kenya
The history of constituencies in Kenya dates back to colonial times, when the first constituencies were created as part of the British colonial administration. In 1920, Kenya, then a British East African protectorate, held its first general elections, with only 11 constituencies. Over time, the number of constituencies increased as Kenya’s population grew and its political environment evolved.
In 1962, on the eve of Kenya’s independence, the Royal Commission was tasked with increasing the number of constituencies to 100 to ensure better representation. Following independence in 1963, Kenya’s Constitution provided for the creation of 117 constituencies across the country. This number continued to rise over the years, and by 1986, it was increased to 158 constituencies.
The most significant change occurred in 2010 when the Constitution of Kenya mandated a comprehensive boundary review, leading to the creation of 290 constituencies. This change aimed to ensure more equitable representation based on population distribution across Kenya’s 47 counties. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was tasked with conducting regular boundary reviews to maintain fairness in representation.
Structure and Composition of Kenya’s Constituencies
Each of Kenya’s 290 constituencies is an electoral district that elects one Member of Parliament (MP) to the National Assembly. These constituencies are further divided into electoral wards, which serve as the smallest unit of political representation.
Kenya’s constituencies are geographically distributed across 47 counties, with the largest counties having more constituencies due to their larger populations. The Constituencies reflect the country’s diverse communities, including ethnic groups, urban and rural populations, and special interest groups. Each constituency has unique local issues, from agriculture and education to infrastructure and health services.
Notable Constituencies and Population
Here’s a snapshot of some of the key former provincial constituencies in Kenya, along with their current representation in terms of seats and population:
Former Coast Province
- Mombasa County: Population of 1,208,333 with 6 constituencies.
- Kwale County: Population of 866,820 with 4 constituencies.
- Kilifi County: Population of 1,453,787 with 7 constituencies.
Former North Eastern Province
- Garissa County: Population of 623,060 with 6 constituencies.
- Wajir County: Population of 661,941 with 6 constituencies.
- Mandera County: Population of 1,025,756 with 6 constituencies.
Former Rift Valley Province
- Turkana County: Population of 855,399 with 6 constituencies.
- Uasin Gishu County: Population of 894,179 with 6 constituencies.
- Baringo County: Population of 555,561 with 6 constituencies.
Former Western Province
- Kakamega County: Population of 1,660,768 with 12 constituencies.
- Vihiga County: Population of 554,622 with 5 constituencies.
- Bungoma County: Population of 1,630,934 with 9 constituencies.
Former Nairobi Province
- Nairobi County: Population of 3,138,369 with 17 constituencies.
Constituencies and the Electoral Process
Each constituency is represented by an MP who is elected by the residents during general elections, which occur every five years. The MP’s primary responsibility is to represent the interests of their constituency in the National Assembly. By-elections are held when there are vacancies, such as in cases of death or resignation.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is responsible for managing elections and ensuring fair representation in all constituencies. The IEBC also conducts regular reviews of constituency boundaries to reflect population changes and maintain fairness in electoral representation.
Challenges Facing Constituencies in Kenya
While the 290 constituencies of Kenya provide a framework for democratic representation, the country faces several challenges in ensuring effective representation. Some of these challenges include:
- Unequal Distribution of Resources: Some constituencies, especially those in rural areas, may not have sufficient resources to cater to their population’s needs. There is a need to ensure that constituencies are equally supported by the government in terms of infrastructure, education, and health services.
- Political Tensions: Constituencies, particularly those with multiple ethnic groups, sometimes experience political tensions during election periods. These tensions can affect the peaceful conduct of elections and the effective representation of the people.
- Boundary Delineation Issues: There have been concerns about the delay in conducting boundary reviews, as mandated by the Constitution of Kenya. As of 2024, no new boundary review has been conducted despite the 12-year deadline having passed in 2012.
The constituencies of Kenya are a crucial aspect of the country’s democratic process. With 290 constituencies spread across 47 counties, each constituency plays a vital role in shaping Kenya’s legislative agenda and ensuring that the diverse population is represented in the National Assembly. Despite facing challenges, the constituencies continue to evolve, with the IEBC working to ensure fair and accurate representation for all Kenyans.
Former Coast Province
| 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
Garissa County
- Population (2009): 623,060
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 27. Garissa Township (formerly Dujis Constituency), 28. Balambala, 29. Lagdera, 30. Dadaab, 31. Fafi, 32. Ijara.
Wajir County
- Population (2009): 661,941
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 33. Wajir North, 34. Wajir East, 35. Tarbaj, 36. Wajir West, 37. Eldas, 38. Wajir South.
Mandera County
- Population (2009): 1,025,756
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 39. Mandera West, 40. Banissa, 41. Mandera North, 42. Mandera South, 43. Mandera East, 44. Lafey.
Former Eastern Province
Marsabit County
- Population (2009): 291,166
- Current number of seats: 4
- Constituencies: 45. Moyale, 46. North Horr, 47. Saku, 48. Laisamis.
Isiolo County
- Population (2009): 143,294
- Current number of seats: 2
- Constituencies: 49. Isiolo North, 50. Isiolo South.
Meru County
- Population (2009): 1,356,301
- Current number of seats: 9
- Constituencies: 51. Igembe South, 52. Igembe Central, 53. Igembe North, 54. Tigania West, 55. Tigania East, 56. North Imenti, 57. Buuri, 58. Central Imenti, 59. South Imenti.
Tharaka-Nithi County
- Population (2009): 365,330
- Current number of seats: 3
- Constituencies: 60. Maara, 61. Chuka/Igambang’ombe, 62. Tharaka.
Embu County
- Population (2019): 516,212
- Current number of seats: 4
- Constituencies: 63. Manyatta, 64. Runyenjes, 65. Mbeere South, 66. Mbeere North.
Kitui County
- Population (2009): 1,012,709
- Current number of seats: 8
- Constituencies: 67. Mwingi North, 68. Mwingi West, 69. Mwingi Central, 70. Kitui West, 71. Kitui Rural, 72. Kitui Central, 73. Kitui East, 74. Kitui South.
Machakos County
- Population (2009): 1,098,584
- Current number of seats: 8
- Constituencies: 75. Masinga, 76. Yatta, 77. Kangundo, 78. Matungulu, 79. Kathiani, 80. Mavoko, 81. Machakos Town, 82. Mwala.
Makueni County
- Population (2009): 111,179
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 83. Mbooni, 84. Kilome, 85. Kaiti, 86. Makueni, 87. Kibwezi West, 88. Kibwezi East.
Former Central Province
Nyandarua County
- Population (2009): 596,268
- Current number of seats: 5
- Constituencies: 89. Kinangop, 90. Kipipiri, 91. Ol Kalou, 92. Ol Jorok, 93. Ndaragwa.
Nyeri County
- Population (2009): 693,558
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 94. Tetu, 95. Kieni, 96. Mathira, 97. Othaya, 98. Mukurweini, 99. Nyeri Town.
Kirinyaga County
- Population (2009): 528,054
- Current number of seats: 4
- Constituencies: 100. Mwea, 101. Gichugu, 102. Ndia, 103. Kirinyaga Central.
Murang’a County
- Population (2009): 942,581
- Current number of seats: 7
- Constituencies: 104. Kangema, 105. Mathioya, 106. Kiharu, 107. Kigumo, 108. Maragwa, 109. Kandara, 110. Gatanga.
Kiambu County
- Population (2009): 1,623,282
- Current number of seats: 12
- Constituencies: 111. Gatundu South, 112. Gatundu North, 113. Juja, 114. Thika Town, 115. Ruiru, 116. Githunguri, 117. Kiambu, 118. Kiambaa, 119. Kabete, 120. Kikuyu, 121. Limuru, 122. Lari.
Former Rift Valley Province
Turkana County
- Population (2009): 855,399
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 123. Turkana North, 124. Turkana West, 125. Turkana Central, 126. Loima, 127. Turkana South, 128. Turkana East.
West Pokot County
- Population (2009): 512,690
- Current number of seats: 4
- Constituencies: 129. Kapenguria, 130. Sigor, 131. Kacheliba, 132. Pokot South.
Samburu County
- Population (2009): 223,947
- Current number of seats: 3
- Constituencies: 133. Samburu West, 134. Samburu North, 135. Samburu East.
Trans-Nzoia County
- Population (2009): 818,757
- Current number of seats: 5
- Constituencies: 136. Kwanza, 137. Endebess, 138. Saboti, 139. Kiminini, 140. Cherangany.
Uasin Gishu County
- Population (2009): 894,179
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 141. Soy, 142. Turbo, 143. Moiben, 144. Ainabkoi, 145. Kapseret, 146. Kesses.
Elgeyo-Marakwet County
- Population (2009): 369,998
- Current number of seats: 4
- Constituencies: 147. Marakwet East, 148. Marakwet West, 149. Keiyo North, 150. Keiyo South.
Nandi County
- Population (2009): 752,966
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 151. Tinderet, 152. Aldai, 153. Nandi Hills, 154. Chesumei, 155. Emgwen, 156. Mosop.
Baringo County
- Population (2009): 555,561
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 157. Tiaty, 158. Baringo North, 159. Baringo Central, 160. Baringo South, 161. Mogotio, 162. Eldama Ravine.
Laikipia County
- Population (2009): 399,227
- Current number of seats: 3
- Constituencies: 163. Laikipia West, 164. Laikipia East, 165. Laikipia North.
Nakuru County
- Population (2009): 1,603,325
- Current number of seats: 11
- Constituencies: 166. Molo, 167. Njoro, 168. Naivasha, 169. Gilgil, 170. Kuresoi South, 171. Kuresoi North, 172. Subukia, 173. Rongai, 174. Bahati, 175. Nakuru Town West, 176. Nakuru Town East.
Narok County
- Population (2009): 850,920
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 177. Kilgoris, 178. Emurua Dikirr, 179. Narok North, 180. Narok East, 181. Narok South, 182. Narok West.
Kajiado County
- Population (2009): 687,312
- Current number of seats: 5
- Constituencies: 183. Kajiado North, 184. Kajiado Central, 185. Kajiado East, 186. Kajiado West, 187. Kajiado South.
Kericho County
- Population (2009): 758,339
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 188. Kipkelion East, 189. Kipkelion West, 190. Ainamoi, 191. Bureti, 192. Belgut, 193. Sigowet–Soin.
Bomet County
- Population (2009): 545,378
- Current number of seats: 5
- Constituencies: 194. Sotik, 195. Chepalungu, 196. Bomet East, 197. Bomet Central, 198. Konoin.
Former Western Province
Kakamega County
- Population (2009): 1,660,768
- Current number of seats: 12
- Constituencies: 199. Lugari, 200. Likuyani, 201. Malava, 202. Lurambi, 203. Navakholo, 204. Mumias West, 205. Mumias East, 206. Matungu, 207. Butere, 208. Khwisero, 209. Shinyalu, 210. Ikolomani.
Vihiga County
- Population (2009): 554,622
- Current number of seats: 5
- Constituencies: 211. Vihiga, 212. Sabatia, 213. Hamisi, 214. Luanda, 215. Emuhaya.
Bungoma County
- Population (2009): 1,630,934
- Current number of seats: 9
- Constituencies: 216. Mount Elgon, 217. Sirisia, 218. Kabuchai, 219. Bumula, 220. Kanduyi, 221. Webuye East, 222. Webuye West, 223. Kimilili, 224. Tongaren.
Busia County
- Population (2009): 488,075
- Current number of seats: 7
- Constituencies: 225. Teso North, 226. Teso South, 227. Nambale, 228. Matayos, 229. Butula, 230. Funyula, 231. Budalangi.
Former Nyanza Province
Siaya County
- Population (2009): 842,304
- Current number of seats: 6
- Constituencies: 232. Ugenya, 233. Ugunja, 234. Alego Usonga, 235. Gem, 236. Bondo, 237. Rarieda.
Kisumu County
- Population (2009): 968,909
- Current number of seats: 7
- Constituencies: 238. Kisumu East, 239. Kisumu West, 240. Kisumu Central, 241. Seme, 242. Nyando, 243. Muhoroni, 244. Nyakach.
Homa Bay County
- Population (2009): 963,794
- Current number of seats: 8
- Constituencies: 245. Kasipul, 246. Kabondo Kasipul, 247. Karachuonyo, 248. Rangwe, 249. Homa Bay Town, 250. Ndhiwa, 251. Suba North 252. Suba South.
Migori County
- Population (2009): 1,028,579
- Current number of seats: 8
- Constituencies: 253. Rongo, 254. Awendo, 255. Suna East, 256. Suna West, 257. Uriri, 258. Nyatike, 259. Kuria West, 260. Kuria East.
Kisii County
- Population (2009): 1,152,282
- Current number of seats: 9
- Constituencies: 261. Bonchari, 262. South Mugirango, 263. Bomachoge Borabu, 264. Bobasi, 265. Bomachoge Chache, 266. Nyaribari Masaba, 267. Nyaribari Chache, 268. Kitutu Chache North, 269. Kitutu Chache South.
Nyamira County
- Population (2009): 598,252
- Current number of seats: 4
- Constituencies: 270. Kitutu Masaba, 271. West Mugirango, 272. North Mugirango, 273. Borabu.
Former Nairobi Province
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Nairobi County
- Population (2009): 3,138,369
- Current number of seats: 17
