Politics Ledger · Sub-Saharan Africa

Kenya

Electoral autocracyPresidential republicUnitary with devolution
Updated todaysource: Curated
curated|
Updated todaysource: Curated
estimate
In charge
William Ruto
President
Time in power
4.1 yrs
since 2022
Government seats
66%
majority
Next national vote
2027-08
General
Governance score
40/100
composite of five indices

Kenya moved from British settler colony through the Mau Mau rebellion to a one-party state under Kenyatta and Moi, then multiparty democracy and the landmark 2010 Constitution after the 2007-08 election violence.

Leadership

Who Governs Kenya

Head of state
Holds executive power
William Ruto
President · United Democratic Alliance (UDA)
Since 13 September 2022 · 4.1 years
Age 60 (born 1966)ManRoute to power: won a popular election
Ruling coalition
"Broad-based" government: Kenya Kwanza (UDA) plus ODM
Main opposition
United Opposition: Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Rigathi Gachagua (DCP) and others
Last national election
9 August 2022
General

Ruto beat Raila Odinga 50.5% to 48.8%; upheld by the Supreme Court.

Next national election
10 August 2027
General

Raila Odinga died in October 2025; ODM is led by Oburu Oginga.

Parliament

National Assembly

Seat distribution (Approximate party strengths, 2026), ordered from economic left to right.

PartyIdeologySeatsRole
United Democratic Alliance (UDA)Hustler populism, Centre-right145governing
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)Social democracy86coalition
Others and independents (OTH)Various66opposition
Jubilee Party (JP)Centre-right28opposition
Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM)Liberalism24opposition
Ideology

Party Landscape

Each party placed on economic and social axes, sized by seats.

Institutions

The System

Official name
Republic of Kenya
Capital
Nairobi
Population
56 million
Statehood
Independence 12 December 1963; Constitution 2010
System
Presidential republic
Structure
Unitary with devolution
Current constitution
2010
Legislature
Parliament
Lower / sole chamber
National Assembly (349 seats)
Upper chamber
Senate (67)
Electoral system
Presidential majority plus 25% in half the counties; FPTP for the National Assembly.
Term limits
President: two five-year terms.

Sources

  • Parliament of Kenya
  • IEBC
  • EIU Democracy Index 2024; Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2025; RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025; Transparency International CPI 2024; IPU Parline, 2026; V-Dem v15 Liberal Democracy Index (approximate five-year readings)

Last verified 2026-10-29. Party placements are editorial estimates.

Data as of 2026-10-29.