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The Requirements for Presidential Candidates in Kenya

Gĩthĩnji

Updated on:

In Kenya, the process of becoming a presidential candidate is a rigorous and clearly defined. The Constitution of Kenya 2010 brought significant changes to ensure that only qualified individuals can stand for election as President.

Understanding the qualifications and requirements for presidential candidates in Kenya is essential for aspiring politicians and voters.

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Qualifications for Presidential Candidates in Kenya

To be eligible to run for President in Kenya, a candidate must meet several key qualifications outlined in the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the Elections Act, 2011.

These qualifications ensure that only individuals with the right experience, moral standing, and allegiance to Kenya can contest for the highest office in the land.

  • Citizenship of Kenya – A candidate must be a citizen of Kenya by birth. Citizenship ensures that the individual has a strong connection to the country and invests in its welfare.
  • Eligibility to Stand for Election as a Member of Parliament – A presidential candidate must qualify for election as a Member of Parliament. The eligibility ensures that they are knowledgeable in the legislative processes.
  • Allegiance to Kenya – The candidate must not owe allegiance to any foreign state, ensuring their loyalty is solely to Kenya.
  • Registered Voter – The candidate must be a registered voter, a requirement for anyone seeking public office in Kenya.
  • Academic Qualifications – A presidential candidate must hold a degree from a university recognized in Kenya. This educational requirement ensures that candidates have the necessary knowledge and critical thinking skills to lead the nation.
  • Political Affiliation or Independence – Candidates must be either political party nominees or independent candidates. The choice allows for political diversity and choice between party-based and independent leadership.
  • Public Office Restrictions – The candidate must not be a public officer or in an acting capacity in any State or public office other than the President, the Deputy President, or a Member of Parliament. The candidate shall not be beholden to other governmental positions to avoid conflict of interest.
  • Moral and Ethical Integrity – A presidential candidate must meet the moral and ethical standards required by the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012. This clause aims to ensure that candidates are individuals of good character who the people of Kenya trust to serve with integrity.
  • No Dual Citizenship – The candidate must not hold dual citizenship unless they obtained the citizenship of the other country by operation of law without the capacity to opt-out. The candidate shall align fully with Kenya’s national interests.
  • Financial Capacity – A presidential candidate must not be bankrupt to the extent that they are financially unstable to take on the duties of the presidency.
  • Mental Capacity – A presidential candidate must not be of unsound mind to the extent that they are mentally unfit to take on the duties of the presidency.
  • Criminal Record – Candidates must not have a criminal record that would disqualify them from public office, including a sentence of imprisonment of at least six months.
  • Misuse of Public Office – The candidate must not have been found to have abused or misused state or public office or contravened Chapter Six of the Constitution. The qualification protects the integrity of the election process and ensures that candidates with a history of corruption or mismanagement cannot run for office.
  • Dismissal from Public Office – The candidate must not have been dismissed or removed from any public office for contravening the provisions of Articles 75, 76, 77 and 78 of the Constitution. If a candidate experiences dismissal or removal from public office for misconduct, they are ineligible to run for President.

Requirements for Presidential Candidates in Kenya

Once a presidential candidate meets the qualifications outlined above, they must submit various documents to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during the nomination process.

These documents verify the candidate’s eligibility and ensure transparency in the election process.

  • Educational Certificates – A presidential candidate must submit certified copies of their academic qualifications, including a degree certificate from a recognized university.
    • The Commission for University Education must authenticate or equate the degree if a foreign institution issued it.
    • Kenyan Institutions shall certify the degree certificates they issued.
    • (Section 22 of the Elections Act, 2011 and Regulation 47 of Elections (General) Regulations, 2012)
  • Identity Documents – The candidate must submit a copy of their national identity card or valid passport. The document shall be the one they used for voter registration.
  • Passport-Size Photograph – A candidate shall submit a passport-size photograph with a white background in both hard and soft copies.
  • Relevant certificates as follows–
    • Nomination Certificate – For political party candidates, IEBC requires a nomination certificate from a registered political party, with a date and signature from an authorized party official.
    • Clearance Certificate – Independent candidates must submit a clearance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties certifying that the person was not a member of any political party for the last 3 months before the elections. (Regulation 15(a) (General) Regulations, 2012)
  • Code of Conduct – Each candidate must submit a signed and dated code of conduct form. (Elections Act, Second Schedule)
  • Statutory and Self-Declaration Forms – The candidate must submit an original Statutory Declaration Form, as required for nomination purposes (Regulation 18(3) of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012), along with an original Self-Declaration Form (Regulation 46 of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012).
  • Supporter Signatures – Political Parties and Independent Candidates must submit an electronic version of the duly completed list of at least 2,000 supporters from a majority of counties to the IEBC in the prescribed format. Copies of the supporters’ identity cards should accompany the list.
  • Additional requirements for independent candidates–
    • Intention to Contest Form – A duly filled Form of Intention to Contest, prescribed by the IEBC.
    • Election Symbol – A symbol the candidate intends to use during the election, which has been approved by the IEBC 21 days before Nomination day.
    • Functioning Office – Establish and maintain a functioning office in the respective electoral area where the candidate is contesting, which must be available for inspection by the IEBC at least 45 days before the elections. The candidate must communicate the address, including the physical address of the office, to the IEBC.

Nomination Fees for Presidential Candidates in Kenya

Each presidential candidate must pay a nomination fee in form of a Banker’s Cheque to the IEBC as follows–

  • KES 200,000 for a regular candidate, and
  • KES 100,000 for a candidate who is a youth, woman, or a person with a disability.