Quick Answer
The Constitution begins from a single idea: all power belongs to the people of Kenya. Citizens exercise it directly — for example by voting — and through elected representatives and independent institutions.
Key facts
- All sovereign power belongs to the people (Article 1).
- People exercise power directly and through representatives.
- No office or person is above the Constitution.
- Delegated power must be exercised under the Constitution.
Power belongs to the people
Article 1 states that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and is exercised only in accordance with the Constitution. Government does not own power — it borrows it from citizens.
How the people exercise power
Citizens exercise this power in two ways: directly — through elections, referenda and public participation — and indirectly, through their elected representatives and the State organs (Parliament, the Executive, the Judiciary and the county governments).
Limits on power
All power is delegated and limited. Every office exercises authority under the Constitution, which is supreme (Article 2); no person or institution is above it. That is the foundation of accountable government.
Why this matters to you
This is the idea everything else rests on: leaders serve because the people lend them authority, and can withdraw it. It is the reason your vote, your petition and your voice carry constitutional weight.
Frequently asked questions
Who holds power in Kenya?
The people — all sovereign power belongs to them (Article 1).
How do citizens exercise power?
Directly through elections, referenda and participation, and through elected representatives and State organs.
Is anyone above the Constitution?
No — it is supreme, and all power is exercised under it.
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Articles 1 and 2 — klrc.go.ke