Article 98. Membership of the Senate
Official Constitutional Text
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;
(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; and
(e) the Speaker, who shall be an ex officio member.
(2) The members referred to in clause (1) (c) and (d) shall be elected in accordance with Article 90.
(3) Nothing in this Article shall be construed as excluding any person from contesting an election under clause (1) (a).
Plain English Explanation
This is a simplified summary to explain this article in clear language. It is not the legal text of the Constitution.
Article 98 of the Kenyan Constitution defines the exact composition of the Senate, which totals 68 members. It structures the chamber to include 47 senators elected directly by the registered voters of each of the 47 counties. To address gender balance and special representation, political parties nominate an additional 16 women members based on their proportion of elected seats in the Senate. The house also includes four specific nominated members representing marginalized groups: two representing the youth (one man and one woman) and two representing persons with disabilities (one man and one woman). Finally, the Speaker serves as an ex officio member, holding office by virtue of their position without an ordinary vote, while the article explicitly clarifies that nothing prevents anyone from contesting the direct county senatorial seats.