Governor
Governor of the County
Chief executive of a county; leads the county government and its devolved services.
What they do
Leads the county executive, oversees the implementation of county legislation, and is responsible for delivering devolved services within the county.
- Appoints, with the approval of the County Assembly, members of the County Executive Committee
- Directs and coordinates the functions of the county government and its departments
- Submits the county budget and development plans to the County Assembly for approval
- Represents the county in inter-governmental affairs
How they're elected
- Term
- 5 years
- Term limit
- Maximum of two terms
- Elected by
- Direct election by registered voters within the county; the candidate with the most votes wins.
Eligibility
- Citizen of Kenya
- Qualified to stand for election as a Member of the County Assembly
- Nominated by a political party or as an independent candidate
- At least 30 years of age
Article 179Article 180Article 182Article 183
Accountability
Accountable to the people of the county through the County Assembly; required to deliver an annual State of the County address and submit regular reports on county performance.
- Impeachment by the County Assembly with confirmation by the Senate on grounds of gross violation of the Constitution, serious crime, abuse of office, or gross misconduct (Article 181)
- Removal on grounds of physical or mental incapacity
Don't confuse this with…
How it differs from other offices
- Unlike the President, a Governor leads only one county and is elected only by voters in that county.
- Unlike a Senator, a Governor runs the county; the Senator represents the county at the national Senate.
Common misconceptions
- A Governor is not in charge of national functions like security, foreign affairs, or national highways.
- A Governor does not pass county laws — that is the role of the County Assembly.