Chapter eight of the Constitution, Article 93 establishes the Parliament of Kenya, which consists of the National Assembly and the Senate.
The National Assembly is composed of 349 Members: 290 elected, 47 women representatives from counties and 12 nominated.
The Senate is made up of 67 members: 47 elected Members from each county, 16 nominated women and four individuals to represent the youth and persons with disabilities.
The role of Parliament includes:
- Exercises legislative authority of the Republic from the people.
- It manifests the diversity of the nation, represents the will of the people, and exercises their sovereignty.
- May consider and pass amendments to the Constitution, and alter county boundaries as provided for in the Constitution.
- Protect the Constitution and promote the democratic governance of the Republic.
The National Assembly:
- Represents the people of the constituencies and special interests.
- Deliberates on and resolves issues of concern to the people.
- Enacts legislation in accordance with the Constitution.
- Approves declarations of war and extensions of states of emergency.
It also—
Determines the allocation of national revenue between the levels of government, as provided for in the Constitution;
- Appropriates funds for expenditure by the national government and other national State organs; and
- Exercises oversight over national revenue and its expenditure.
- Reviews the conduct in office of the President, the Deputy President and other State officers and initiates the process of removing them from office; and
- Exercises oversight of State organs.
The Senate:
- Represents the counties, and serves to protect the interests of the counties and their governments.
- Participates in the law-making function of Parliament by considering, debating and approving Bills concerning counties, as provided in the Constitution.
- Determines the allocation of national revenue among counties, as provided in Article 217, and exercises oversight over national revenue allocated to the county governments.
- Participates in the oversight of State officers by considering and determining any resolution to remove the President or Deputy President from office in accordance with the Constitution.