Grade 10 History And Citizenship – Elections in Kenya Quiz

The IEBC is the independent commission established under the 2010 Constitution to plan, manage and conduct elections and boundaries reviews in Kenya.

Kenyan law sets the voting age at 18, so citizens must be 18 or older to register and vote.

The Constitution provides for general elections every five years to elect the President, members of Parliament and county governments.

Under the 2010 Constitution a winning presidential candidate needs over 50% of votes nationally and at least 25% of votes in at least 24 of Kenya's 47 counties; otherwise a runoff is held.

When no candidate satisfies the constitutional thresholds, a second round is held between the top two candidates so voters can choose between them.

Constituency MPs are elected by simple majority (first-past-the-post): the candidate with the most votes in the constituency wins the seat.

Under the Constitution, presidential election disputes are heard directly by the Supreme Court, which must deliver its decision within a strict timeframe.

To register, a person must be a Kenyan citizen aged 18 or above and present a valid national ID as proof of identity.

The IEBC was established under the 2010 Constitution as the independent body to manage elections and electoral boundaries.

Political parties recruit and nominate candidates, prepare manifestos and lead campaigning to win support from voters.

The secret ballot ensures that voters can make their choice privately, helping to prevent coercion, bribery and intimidation.

A by-election is called when a seat becomes vacant due to death, resignation or disqualification of a representative before the next general election.

The IEBC is mandated to tally and declare official election results at national and county levels.

Voter turnout measures participation by comparing how many registered voters actually voted with the total number of registered voters.

Observers (local and international) watch voting and counting to assess whether the election complied with laws and standards and to report their findings.

Certain seats (nominated or special seats) are allocated from party lists based on the proportion of votes parties receive to ensure representation of women and special groups.

The presiding officer opens and closes the station, verifies voters, oversees ballot issuing and counting, and ensures the process follows the law.

An election petition is how candidates or voters legally challenge results or allege irregularities; courts then consider the evidence and rule.

Voting gives citizens a voice in who leads them, which policies are adopted and helps hold elected officials accountable for their actions.

Voter education teaches people about their rights, how to register, how to vote, and the importance of participation so they can make informed choices.

The media provides news and analysis, gives airtime to candidates, exposes wrongdoing and helps voters make informed decisions.

Campaigning is the time before an election when candidates present their platforms, hold rallies and try to persuade voters to support them.

Free and fair elections require open competition, secrecy of the ballot, absence of coercion, equal opportunity and accurate counting of votes.

One of the IEBC's functions is to delimit electoral areas (constituencies and wards) to ensure fair representation.

Regulating and disclosing campaign funds helps reduce corruption, shows who supports candidates and promotes fairness in the electoral process.