Kenya

Decentralised unitary republic — Presidential system

Kenya is a presidential republic: the president, head of state and government, is elected by direct universal suffrage for five years, renewable once, and must win more than half the votes and at least 25% in half of the counties. The 2010 Constitution, adopted after the post-election violence of 2007–2008, created a Senate, an independent Supreme Court and 47 counties with elected governors. William Ruto, elected in 2022, governs with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, appointed in 2024 after the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua. His term has been marked by mass youth protests against the cost of living and police violence in 2024 and 2025. The next presidential election is scheduled for August 2027.