Quick Answer
Every Kenyan county government has three parts: a County Executive led by the Governor that runs services, a County Assembly of elected MCAs that makes county laws and provides oversight, and a County Public Service Board that handles staffing.
Key facts
- A county has three arms: executive, assembly, and public service.
- The Governor leads the County Executive Committee (the county “cabinet”).
- Elected MCAs form the County Assembly, which checks the executive.
- The County Public Service Board manages county staff.
The three arms of a county government
A county government mirrors, at local level, the separation of powers seen nationally. Its three arms are:
- The County Executive — runs services and implements laws.
- The County Assembly — makes county laws and oversees the executive.
- The County Public Service Board — manages staffing and discipline.
The County Executive
Executive authority is vested in the County Executive Committee (Article 179). It is made up of the Governor and Deputy Governor (the chief and deputy chief executives) plus County Executive Committee (CEC) members — the county “cabinet” — appointed by the Governor with the Assembly’s approval from outside the Assembly.
CEC members head departments (health, roads, finance and so on), supported by Chief Officers who are the departments’ accounting officers. The number of CEC members is capped — no more than ten, or one-third of the Assembly in smaller counties.
The County Assembly
The County Assembly is the county’s law-making house. It is made up of elected MCAs (one per ward), nominated members for gender and special-interest balance, and a Speaker. Its core roles are to make county laws, approve the county budget, and oversee the Governor and the executive — including the power to impeach.
The County Public Service
Day-to-day county staff — the people who actually deliver services — form the county public service, managed by the County Public Service Board (a 3–5 member body responsible for hiring and discipline). The County Secretary heads the county public service. This arm excludes the Governor, Deputy, CEC members and MCAs.
Why this matters to you
Knowing the three arms tells you exactly where to take an issue: the executive (Governor/CEC) to deliver a service, the Assembly (your MCA) to change a county law, hold the budget to account, or check the Governor. It also clarifies who is responsible when something goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Are CEC members elected?
No. They are appointed by the Governor, with County Assembly approval, from outside the Assembly.
What does the County Assembly do?
It makes county laws, approves the county budget, and oversees the Governor and executive, including impeachment powers.
Who hires county staff?
The County Public Service Board, with the County Secretary heading the county public service.
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Articles 176–179 and 185 — klrc.go.ke
- County Governments Act, 2012 — kenyalaw.org
- State Department for Devolution — devolution.go.ke