Senate of Kenya

The Senate
Swahili: Baraza la Seneti
11th Parliament
Type
Type
History
New session started
28 March 2013
Leadership
Speaker
Ekwe Ethuro, Jubilee
since 28 March 2013
Deputy Speaker
Kembi Gitura, Jubilee
since 28 March 2013
Majority Leader
Kindiki Kithure, Jubilee
since 17 April 2013
Minority Leader
Hassan Abdurrahman (acting), CORD
since 16 October 2013
Structure
Seats 67
Political groups
     Jubilee (30)
     Amani (6)
     Other Parties (3)
     CORD (28)
Length of term
5 years
Elections
47 First Past the Post, 20 co-opted, 1 ex-officio
Last election
4 March 2013
Meeting place
Kenyatta International Conference Centre
Nairobi, Kenya
Website
Official website
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The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of Kenya. The Senate was first established as part of Kenya's 1963 Constitution. After being abolished in 1966, the Senate was re-established by the 2010 Constitution.

First Senate, 1963–1966

Kenya's 1963 Constitution established a Senate that consisted of 41 senators elected for six years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years. Timothy Chokwe served as the first speaker of the Senate.[1] The Senate was abolished in 1966, when its membership was combined with that of the House of Representatives to form a unicameral legislature, the National Assembly.

Modern Senate, 2013–present

The 2013 Kenya Senate elections took place on 4 March 2013.[2] Under the new constitution, which was passed during the 2010 referendum, the 2013 general election was the first to include the election of Senators representing the 47 newly created counties. They were also the first general elections run by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). According to their share of elected seats, the political parties nominated an additional 16 women. Additional nominations were made for two members representing the youth and two members representing persons with disabilities.The Speaker, who is an ex officio member, was elected by the Senators sworn in on the first sitting of the Senate.

Powers

Current members of the Senate

The Senate consists of 47 members directly elected by their counties, 16 women nominated by the political parties according to their relative strength in the Senate elections, two members to represent the youth, and two members to represent persons with disabilities.

Elected Senators

County No County Name Name Party
1 Mombasa Hassan Omar WDM-K
2 Kwale Boy Juma Boy ODM
3 Kilifi Stewart Madzayo ODM
4 Tana-River Ali Bule FPK
5 Lamu Abu Chiaba TNA
6 Taita-Taveta Dan Mwazo ODM
7 Garissa Yusuf Haji TNA
8 Wajir Abdirahman Ali ODM
9 Mandera Billow Kerow URP
10 Marsabit Godana Hargura ODM
11 Isiolo Mohammed Kuti URP
12 Meru Kiraitu Murungi APK
13 Tharaka Kithure Kindiki TNA
14 Embu Lenny Kivuti APK
15 Kitui David Musila WDM-K
16 Machakos Johnstone Muthama WDM-K
17 Makueni Mutula Kilonzo, Jr. WDM-K
18 Nyandarua Muriuki Karue TNA
19 Nyeri Mutahi Kagwe NARC
20 Kirinyaga Daniel Karaba TNA
21 Murang'a Kembi Gitura TNA
22 Kiambu Paul Kimani TNA
23 Turkana John Munyes FORD-KENYA
24 West-Pokot John Lonyangapuo KANU
25 Samburu Sammy Leshore URP
26 Trans-Nzoia Henry Ndiema FORD-KENYA
27 Uasin-Gishu Isaac Melly URP
28 Elgeyo-Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen URP
29 Nandi Stephen Sang URP
30 Baringo Gideon Moi KANU
31 Laikipia Geoffrey Gitahi Kariuki TNA
32 Nakuru James Kiarie Mungai TNA
33 Narok Stephen Kanyinge ole Ntutu URP
34 Kajiado Peter Mositet TNA
35 Kericho Charles Keter URP
36 Bomet Prof Wilson Lessan URP
37 Kakamega Bonny Khalwale UDF
38 Vihiga George Khaniri UDF
39 Bungoma Moses Wetangula FORD-KENYA
40 Busia Amos Wako ODM
41 Siaya James Orengo ODM
42 Kisumu Peter Anyang' Nyong'o ODM
43 Homa Bay Moses Kajwang ODM
44 Migori Wilfred Machage ODM
45 Kisii Chris Obure ODM
46 Nyamira Kennedy Mong’are Okong’o FORD-KENYA
47 Nairobi Gideon Mbuvi TNA

Women members nominated to Senate

# Name Party
1 Beatrice Elachi APK
2 Catherine Mukite Nobwola FORD-KENYA
3 Janet Ongera ODM
4 Elizabeth Ongoro Masha ODM
5 Halima Abdille Mohamud ODM
6 Agnes Nzani (Dr.) ODM
7 Beth Wambui Mugo TNA
8 Emma Mbura Gertrude TNA
9 Naisula Lesuuda TNA
10 Joy Adhiambo Gwendo TNA
11 Martha Wangari UDF
12 Mshenga Mvita Kisasa URP
13 Chelule Liza URP
14 Dullo Fatuma Adam URP
15 Judith Achieng Sijeny WDM-K
16 Zipporah Jepchirchir Kittony KANU

Members nominated to Senate to represent youth

# Name Party
1 Kanainza Nyongesa Daisy ODM
2 Hosea Onchwangi TNA

Members nominated to Senate to represent the disabled

# Name Party
1 Ben Njoroge TNA
2 Godliver Nanjira Omondi ODM

Summary By Coalition and Party

These summaries are based on post-election coalitions as reported by the press.

Coalition Party Elected
Senators
Nominated
Senators
Total
Jubilee TNA 11 6 17
URP 9 3 12
NARC 1 1
Total 21 9 30
Amani
Jubilee-affiliated
KANU 2 1 3
UDF 2 1 3
Total 4 2 6
Jubilee-affiliated APK 2 1 3
Total 2 1 3
CORD ODM 10 6 16
FORD-KENYA 4 1 5
WDM-K 4 1 5
FPK 1 1
Total 19 8 27
Vacant 1 0 1
Total 47 20 67

Committees

  • Senate Rules and Business Committee
  • Senate Committee on Education, Information and Technology
  • Senate Committee on Energy, Roads and Transportation
    • Chair: Gideon Moi (KANU)
    • Vice Chair: Mwakulegwa Danson Mwazo (ODM)
  • Senate Committee on Finance, Commerce and Economic Affairs
    • Chair: Billow Kerrow (URP)
    • Vice Chair: Peter Mositet (TNA)
  • Senate Committee on Health, Labour and Social Welfare
  • Senate Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
  • Senate Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations
    • Chair: Yusuf Haji (TNA)
    • Vice Chair: Dullo Fatuma (URP)
  • Senate Committee on Agriculture, Land and Natural Resources
  • Senate Delegated Legislation Committee
    • Chair: Kisasa Mshenga Mvita (URP)
    • Vice Chair: Sijeny Judith Achieng (WDM-K)
  • Senate Implementation Committee
  • Senate Devolved Government Committee
    • Chair: Murkomen Kipchumba (URP)
    • Vice Chair: Wangari Martha (UDF)

References

  1. The Europa World Year Book 1965, p. 638
  2. "Kenya to hold polls in March 2013, says elections body". The Citizen. 18 March 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012.

Coordinates: 1°17′20″S 36°49′22″E / 1.2888°S 36.8227°E