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Ask the Constitution

Can I run for office without belonging to a political party?

Yes

Yes. You can stand as an independent candidate if you have not been a member of a registered political party for at least three months before the election and enough registered voters support you.

Article 85 says an independent candidate must not be a member of a registered political party, and must not have been one for at least three months immediately before the election. Article 99 requires support from at least 1,000 registered voters in the constituency (National Assembly) or 2,000 in the county (Senate). Article 193 requires at least 500 registered voters in the ward for county assembly. Article 137 also allows independent presidential candidates. Other qualifications still apply.

“is nominated by a political party, or is an independent candidate who is supported— (i) in the case of election to the National Assembly, by at least one thousand registered voters in the constituency;”

Article 99: Qualifications and disqualifications for election as member of Parliament

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More questions like this

NoCan I register to vote before I turn 18?No. You must be an adult citizen to register as a voter, and the Constitution defines an adult as someone aged 18 or over.NoCan I register to vote in two different places, such as home and campus?No. A qualifying citizen shall be registered at only one registration centre.YesIs my vote supposed to be secret?Yes. Every adult citizen has the right to vote by secret ballot in any election or referendum.It dependsCan I vote if I live outside Kenya?The Constitution provides for the progressive registration of citizens living abroad and the progressive realisation of their right to vote; a law sets the details.

Summaries and answers are a plain-English guide written by Iam254, not legal advice. The official text is what counts. Official text: Constitution of Kenya, 2010, Kenya Law (National Council for Law Reporting), legislation as at 3 September 2010. It has not been amended since.