Article 137. Qualifications and disqualifications for election as President
Official Constitutional Text
137. (1) A person qualifies for nomination as a presidential candidate if the person—
(a) is a citizen by birth;
(b) is qualified to stand for election as a member of Parliament;
(c) is nominated by a political party, or is an independent candidate; and
(d) is nominated by not fewer than two thousand voters from each of a majority of the counties.
(2) A person is not qualified for nomination as a presidential candidate if the person—
(a) owes allegiance to a foreign state; or
(b) is a public officer, or is acting in any State or other public office.
(3) Clause (2) (b) shall not apply to—
(a) the President;
(b) the Deputy President; or
(c) a member of Parliament.
Plain English Explanation
This is a simplified summary to explain this article in clear language. It is not the legal text of the Constitution.
Article 137 outlines the strict rules for who can run for President of Kenya. To qualify, a candidate must be a Kenyan citizen by birth, be eligible to run for Parliament, and have the backing of either a political party or run as an independent. They must also prove they have national support by gathering at least 2,000 signatures from registered voters in more than half of the 47 counties. Conversely, anyone who owes allegiance to a foreign country or works as a public servant cannot run, though this job restriction does not apply to the sitting President, Deputy President, or Members of Parliament.