How did Kenya’s 2010 constitution change the country’s system of government?

Kenya’s 2010 constitution fundamentally transformed the country’s governance by shifting power away from the centralized presidency and toward local authorities. Key changes included:12

• Decentralization: The constitution replaced the previous provincial system with a decentralized structure based on 47 counties, each led by a directly elected governor and a county assembly.34
• Executive and Legislative Reform: It reduced the power of the presidency and reestablished a bicameral parliament. Additionally, it eliminated the post of prime minister following the subsequent round of elections.13
• Judicial Expansion: The constitution mandated the creation of a Supreme Court, which was established in 2011 to oversee electoral and presidential disputes.5
• Rights and Reform: It introduced a comprehensive bill of rights for citizens and included provisions for land reform to address long-standing political and social tensions.12

These reforms were designed to curb corruption and distribute political control more broadly across the nation.2