Know your office: what elected leaders in Kenya do
When a road needs attention, a clinic is short of supplies or a new law is being debated, who is responsible? The answer depends on the job, the level of government and the institution involved. This guide helps you tell those roles apart.
Start with the function. The Constitution divides responsibilities between national and county governments; the office title alone may not tell you which public body handles a specific service.
The roles, in everyday language
What each elected office is responsible for
These summaries describe the constitutional role. The full work happens through institutions, laws, budgets and public officers.
01
National executive
President
The President is the head of State and Government and leads the national executive. The Constitution sets out the office’s authority and duties, including implementing national laws and directing the work of the national executive.
In practice, the officeholder can
Leads the national executive and coordinates national government functions.
Gives direction to the national government in line with the Constitution and laws.
Is accountable through constitutional checks, including parliamentary oversight.
Keep in mind
The President does not personally deliver every public service. National departments, public officers, independent institutions and county governments have distinct legal responsibilities.
A Governor leads the county executive as the county’s chief executive. The county executive committee and county departments implement county laws and manage county functions assigned by the Constitution or national law.
In practice, the officeholder can
Leads the county executive committee and county administration.
Coordinates county departments and implementation of county legislation.
Provides reports to the County Assembly, which exercises legislative and oversight functions.
Keep in mind
A Governor is not the County Assembly. County laws and oversight belong to the Assembly, while the executive is responsible for implementing county functions.
A Senator represents a county in the Senate. The Senate represents counties and protects the interests of counties and their governments through its work as one House of Parliament.
In practice, the officeholder can
Takes part in considering bills that concern county government.
Participates in Senate oversight and debate on matters affecting counties.
Works with other Senators on the Senate’s constitutional role in revenue allocation among counties.
Keep in mind
An individual Senator does not allocate county funds alone or run county departments. These responsibilities are carried out through constitutional processes and county institutions.
National legislature · constituency representation
Member of Parliament (National Assembly)
A constituency elects one member to the National Assembly. The Assembly represents the people, makes national laws, debates issues of public concern and oversees national government and public spending as provided by the Constitution.
In practice, the officeholder can
Participates in debating and passing national legislation.
Raises and considers issues affecting constituents and the country.
Takes part in National Assembly oversight of the national executive and public finances.
Keep in mind
An MP is a legislator, not the manager of every national or county service in the constituency. Service delivery sits with the public body legally responsible for that function.
Each county elects one woman to the National Assembly through a county-wide seat. She is a member of the National Assembly and participates in its legislative, representative and oversight work.
In practice, the officeholder can
Represents the county in the National Assembly through a seat established by Article 97.
Participates in national debate, legislation and oversight alongside other Assembly members.
Can raise public concerns and scrutinise government action through parliamentary work.
Keep in mind
This is a National Assembly seat, not a county executive post. It is distinct from the MP elected in each constituency and does not make one officeholder solely responsible for every issue affecting women.
An MCA represents an electoral ward in the County Assembly. The Assembly makes county laws, considers county plans and budgets, and oversees the county executive under the Constitution.
In practice, the officeholder can
Takes part in making laws and decisions for the county.
Represents ward residents in County Assembly proceedings and committees.
Scrutinises county plans, budgets and executive performance through Assembly processes.
Keep in mind
An MCA is part of the county legislature, not the county executive. County departments and the executive implement services; an MCA can question and oversee that work through the Assembly.
Start with the service or decision you are asking about. Then identify which level of government has that function and which institution is responsible for acting on it.
For example: a county health facility, a national law, a ward road or public spending.
2
Check the assigned function
Some responsibilities are national, some county, and some involve coordination. The Constitution’s Fourth Schedule sets out many of these functions.
3
Find the responsible institution
Service delivery usually sits with an executive department or public body. Representatives make laws, raise concerns and oversee government through their respective assemblies.
4
Follow the official process
Use the relevant department, public notice, assembly office or complaint channel, and keep a copy of what you submit.
Representation and delivery are connected, but different
One person cannot do every part of government.
Your elected representative can raise a concern, ask questions, take part in lawmaking or oversight, and direct you to the right process. But budgets, procurement, staffing and service delivery involve departments, public officers and formal decisions. For a specific problem, ask both which institution is responsible and what process applies.
Put the guide to use
Explore the people, places and issues connected to your vote.
Use these resources to connect what an office does with the people and public issues in your area.
Prepared by Vote Smart KE as a general civic-information guide. For a current administrative issue, confirm details with the relevant public institution.