Quick Answer
A Senator represents your whole county in the Senate. The Senator’s core mission is to defend the counties and devolution at the national level — including deciding how national revenue is shared among the 47 counties.
Key facts
- Represents an entire county in the Senate.
- Protects devolution and county governments.
- Helps decide how revenue is shared among the 47 counties.
- Elected per county for a five-year term.
Senator at a glance
Level of government: National Parliament — the Senate (upper house)
Electoral unit: County (one per county)
Number of seats: 47 elected (plus nominated members)
Term: 5 years
Term limit: None
Monthly salary (SRC): KES 739,600 gross per month (FY2024/25 — verify against latest SRC notice)
What does a Senator do?
Each Senator represents an entire county in the Senate, the upper house of Parliament. The Senate’s main jobs are to:
- Protect county governments and the devolution system when national laws are made.
- Decide how nationally-raised revenue is divided among the 47 counties.
- Consider and pass any law that affects counties.
- Hold county governments to account, including hearing the impeachment of Governors.
Where the National Assembly focuses on the nation, the Senate keeps watch over the counties.
How is a Senator elected, and for how long?
Voters elect one Senator per county — 47 elected Senators in total — with the most votes winning. The Senate also has additional nominated members for gender, youth and persons with disabilities. A Senator serves a five-year term.
How much does a Senator earn?
A Senator earns the same gross monthly salary as a Member of the National Assembly, set by the SRC. As at the FY2024/25 review this was KES 739,600 per month. Confirm the current amount before publishing.
Who holds a Senator accountable?
A Senator answers to the county’s voters at each election. Through the Senate, the office itself is a check on others — it scrutinises how counties use public money and can hear a Governor’s impeachment.
Why your Senator matters to you
When you hear debates about whether counties get “enough money,” that is the Senate’s arena. Your Senator argues for your county’s share of national revenue and scrutinises whether your county government spends it properly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Senator and an MP?
An MP represents a constituency in the National Assembly and focuses on national law. A Senator represents a whole county and focuses on protecting counties and devolution.
Do Senators control county money?
The Senate decides how the national revenue pool is shared among counties and oversees how counties use it — but it doesn’t run county budgets day to day.
How many Senators are elected in Kenya?
47 are directly elected, one per county, alongside additional nominated members.
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Chapter Eight (The Legislature), Articles 96–98 — klrc.go.ke
- Senate of Kenya, Parliament — parliament.go.ke
- Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) — src.go.ke