Representation Under the Old Constitution
Inadequate. Shallow. Narrow
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Introduction |
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Representation at Independence
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At the House of Representatives |
All constituencies were to have nearly as equal populations as possible. 117 Constituencies were created. |
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At the Senate |
Lancaster House negotiations provided for a bicameral Parliament, with a Senate of 41 Senators representing Districts and Nairobi. |
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At the Regional Assemblies |
Seven Regional Assemblies were created influenced in large part, by a colonial classification based on language groups. These were later known as Provinces. |
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Representation in 1966 |
Constituencies Created for Senators |
Upon the scrapping of the Senate, 41 additional Constituencies were created for the Senators, who moved to the National Assembly (previously known as the House of Representatives). |
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Representation in 1967 - 2013 |
At the National Assembly |
Various amendments to the Constitution led to the delineation of additional Constituencies by the Electoral Commission of Kenya to the current 210 Constituencies. |
Introduction
In 1963 Kenya gained its independent from British rule. Its Constitution was based on what is known as the British Westminster Constitution whose basic format of representation was premised on geographical boundaries.
"The delimitation of boundaries of constituencies and wards is not a new phenomenon in the Kenyan history. Delimitation of boundaries was started by colonial authorities in 1962 when the Royal Commission was created to go round the country and carry out an inquiry into electoral and administrative boundaries. The Royal Commission held consultations with leaders at different levels including influential tribal leaders and chiefs." (IEBC, 2012).
