Kenya

Population Statistics

45,115,196

Total Population

6,767,279

Population with a disability

according to World Health Organization’s 15% estimate

Election Dates

19 May 2008

Ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities


Constitution of Kenya (2010)

Updated: June 2015

Article 27, section 4 states:

The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including…disability.

 

Article 81 states:

The electoral system shall comply with the following principles:…

  • (c) fair representation of persons with disabilities…

 

Article 82, section 2 states:

Legislation required by clause (1)(d) shall ensure that voting at every election is:…

  • (c) takes into account the special needs of:
    • (i) persons with disabilities; and
    • (ii) other persons or groups with special needs.

 

Article 120 states:

The official languages of Parliament shall be Kiswahili, English and Kenyan Sign Language, and the business of Parliament may be conducted in English, Kiswahili and Kenyan Sign Language.

 

Excerpts from the Constitution of Kenya (2010)

Elections Act (2011)

Updated: June 2015

Part XIV, section 90 states:

(1) The Commission may make provision for the voting, by…patients admitted in hospital, older members of the society…and other persons who by reason of any special need, including disability, are unable to access a polling station.

 

Article 58 states:

A person who:…

  • (p) pretends to be visually impaired or suffering from any other disability so as to be assisted in voting, commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six years or to both.

 

Article 59, section 1 states:

A member of the Comission, staff or other person having any duty to perform pursuant to any written law relating to any election who:…

  • (c) permits any person whom they know or have reasonable cause to believe not to be visually impaired or a person with disability to vote in the manner provided for persons who are visually impaired or persons with disability, as the case may be…commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.

 

Article 109, section 1 states:

The Commission may make regulations generally for the better carrying out of the purposes and provisions of this Act, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may make regulations to:…

  • (o) provide for the manner in which a voter with special needs including a person with a disability may vote or be assisted in voting…

 

The First Schedule section, subsection 10 states:

The clerk shall make such arrangements as may be necessary to enable any member with disability to vote.

 

The Second Schedule section, subsection 6 states:

All those bound by this Code shall, throughout an election period:…

  • (j) avoid any discrimination based on…disability

 

Excerpts from the Elections Act (2011)