ale: 86.3%
female: 70%
Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Kenya
conventional short form: Kenya
former: British East Africa
Data code: KE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Nairobi
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast,
Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western
Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963)
Constitution: 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964;
reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992
Legal system: based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic
law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982
making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Daniel Toroitich
arap MOI (since 14 October 1978) elected for a five-year term from
the National Assembly by direct popular vote; election last held 29
December 1992 (next to be held by early 1998); results - President
Daniel T. arap MOI was reelected with 37% of the vote; Kenneth
MATIBA (FORD-ASILI) 26%; Mwai KIBAKI (DP) 19%, Oginga ODINGA
(FORD-Kenya) 17%; Vice President George SAITOTI (since 10 May 1989)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Bunge): election last held 29 December 1992 (next
to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (188
total) KANU 100, FORD-Kenya 31, FORD-Asili 31, DP 23, smaller
parties 3; president nominates 12 additional members; note - as of 9
April 1996 seat distribution was: KANU 106, FORD-Kenya 32,
FORD-Asili 22, DP 22, smaller parties and vacancies 6
note: first multiparty election since repeal of one-party state law
in 1991
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court
Political parties and leaders: ruling party is Kenya African
National Union (KANU), President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI;
opposition parties include Forum for the Restoration of Democracy
(FORD-Kenya), Michael WAMALWA; Forum for the Restoration of
Democracy (FORD-Asili), Kenneth MATIBA; Democratic Party of Kenya
(DP), Mwai KIBAKI
Other political or pressure groups: labor unions; Roman Catholic
Chur
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