Composition and Tenure

The Second Senate will have in its assembly a total of 67 members. Under the devolved system of government in the New Constitution, each of the 47 Counties will directly elect a Senate Member. 

98. (1) The Senate consists of— (a) forty-seven members each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county constituting a single member constituency;

As previously stated, the Senate safeguards the interests of Counties. Further to that, this Second Senate (unlike the First Senate) is charged with the protection of the interests of women, youth and persons with disability. These minorities and marginalised groups will be represented by Senators nominated through political party lists. The women of the Counties are particularly provided for:

98. (1) The Senate consists of— (b) sixteen women members who shall be nominated by political parties according to their proportion of members of the Senate elected under clause (a) in accordance with Article 90; (c) two members, being one man and one woman, representing the youth; (d) two members, being one man and one woman, representing persons with disabilities; ....... .

This clause has a lot riding on it, in that it assigns clear responsibilities to specific Senators. The following table summarises the constitutional composition of the Second Senate of the Republic Kenya under the New Constitution.

Table 2. Constitutional Composition of the Second Senate of the Republic of Kenya

*One of the Senators is elected as Deputy Speaker by peers.