Quick Answer
On a general election day you receive six separate, colour-coded ballot papers — one each for President, Governor, Senator, County Woman Representative, MP and MCA. Three shape national leadership; three shape your county and ward.
Key facts
- You cast six separate votes in one general election.
- Three are national-facing; three are county-and-ward-facing.
- Deputies are not separate ballots — they run on tickets.
- Each ballot is colour-coded to prevent mix-ups.
The six offices on your ballot
Each ballot paper is for a different office:
- President — the national leader (with the Deputy President on the same ticket).
- Governor — the chief executive of your county.
- Senator — your county’s voice in the Senate.
- County Woman Representative — your county’s seat in the National Assembly.
- Member of Parliament (MP) — your constituency’s seat in the National Assembly.
- Member of County Assembly (MCA) — your ward’s seat in the County Assembly.
Each office has its own full guide in the elected-leaders section.
National votes and county votes
Three of your six votes shape national leadership (President, MP, Woman Representative — and the Senator, who sits in national Parliament for county interests). The other three shape your county and ward directly (Governor, Senator, MCA). Every vote counts toward a different layer of government.
Why there is no separate deputy ballot
You will not find a ballot for the Deputy President or Deputy Governor. They run as a pair with the President and Governor on a single ticket — so voting for one elects both.
Why this matters to you
The down-ballot votes — MCA and Woman Representative especially — are the ones voters most often overlook, yet they shape local services and county-wide representation. Knowing all six means none of your votes is a guess.
Frequently asked questions
How many ballot papers do I get?
Six — one for each elected office.
Do I vote separately for the Deputy President?
No. The Deputy President runs on the same ticket as the President.
Which votes affect my local area most?
Your Governor and MCA, who run county and ward-level services.
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Articles 97, 98, 136, 177 and 180 — klrc.go.ke
- Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) — iebc.or.ke