Quick Answer
Your Governor is the chief executive of your county — effectively the “president” of the county. They run devolved services such as county health facilities, county roads, water and agriculture.
Key facts
- Heads the county government; there are 47 Governors.
- Runs county health, roads, water, agriculture and ECDE.
- Elected per county for a five-year term; two-term limit.
- Runs on one ticket with a Deputy Governor.
Governor at a glance
Level of government: County government (chief executive)
Electoral unit: County (one per county)
Number of seats: 47
Term: 5 years
Term limit: Two terms maximum
Monthly salary (SRC): KES 990,000 gross per month (FY2024/25 — verify against latest SRC notice)
What does a Governor do?
Kenya’s Constitution hands counties a defined set of functions, and the Governor leads the team that delivers them — typically:
- County health services — county and sub-county hospitals, dispensaries and health centres.
- County roads and street lighting.
- Water, sanitation and storm drainage.
- Agriculture — crop and animal husbandry, fisheries, local markets.
- Pre-primary education (ECDE) and village polytechnics.
- County planning, trade licensing and development.
The Governor appoints a County Executive Committee (the county “cabinet”) to run these departments and implements both national and county laws within the county.
How is a Governor elected, and for how long?
Voters elect one Governor per county — 47 in total — and the candidate with the most votes wins. The Governor runs on a single ticket with a Deputy Governor, so the two are elected together. The office carries a five-year term with a two-term limit.
How much does a Governor earn?
A Governor earns a gross monthly salary set by the SRC. As at the FY2024/25 review this was KES 990,000 per month. SRC reviews these figures periodically — confirm the current amount before publishing.
Who holds a Governor accountable?
A Governor answers to the county’s voters every five years. Between elections the County Assembly (your MCAs) approves the county budget, scrutinises spending and can initiate impeachment, while the Senate hears the impeachment of a Governor. So your MCA and your Senator are both part of the accountability chain.
Why your Governor matters to you
The Governor controls the services you touch most often — your local hospital, the county road outside your home, your water supply. When those work or fail, the county government is usually where responsibility starts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Governor a national or county leader?
County. The Governor heads the county government and is responsible for devolved services in that county only.
Can a Governor be removed from office?
Yes — through impeachment, which the County Assembly initiates and the Senate hears.
How many Governors are there in Kenya?
47 — one for each county.
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Chapter Eleven (Devolved Government) and Fourth Schedule — klrc.go.ke
- Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) — iebc.or.ke
- Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) — src.go.ke