Constitutional commissions and independent bodies

These institutions operate independently from the three arms of government to ensure accountability, protect public interest, and safeguard the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

Often described as a quasi-fourth arm of government, these 23 bodies serve as vital checks and balances — protecting the Constitution, fighting corruption, ensuring fair elections, and safeguarding public resources.

A. Constitutional Commissions

Multi-member state boards established under the Constitution to protect the public interest, guide national resources, and act as a check on executive power.

13 institutions

• Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)

  Manages elections, voter registration, and constituency boundaries.

• Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)

  Fights corruption and promotes integrity in public service.

• Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA)

  Advises on how national revenue should be shared between the national and county governments.

• Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)

  Sets and reviews pay and benefits for all public officers.

• Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)

  Promotes and protects human rights in Kenya.

• National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC)

  Promotes gender equality and inclusion for marginalised groups.

• Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ)

  The Ombudsman — handles complaints about unfair treatment by government offices.

• National Land Commission (NLC)

  Manages public land and resolves land disputes.

• Public Service Commission (PSC)

  Recruits and manages public servants in the national government.

• Teachers Service Commission (TSC)

  Recruits, manages, and disciplines teachers in public schools.

• Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC)

  Manages the staff and administration of Parliament.

• Judicial Service Commission (JSC)

  Recommends the appointment of judges and manages the administration of the Judiciary.

• National Police Service Commission (NPSC)

  Recruits, promotes, and disciplines officers in the National Police Service.

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B. Independent Offices

Single-holder offices established under the Constitution to oversee public spending and hold the government to account for how it uses taxpayers' money.

2 institutions

• Office of the Auditor-General (OAG)

  Audits all government accounts and reports findings to Parliament.

• Office of the Controller of Budget (COB)

  Approves withdrawals from public funds and makes sure the budget is followed.

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C. Other Sovereign Constitutional Bodies

Independent state bodies set up by the Constitution to manage Kenya's legal, financial, and security systems. They work separately from the regular civil service.

8 institutions

• Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)

  Sets interest rates and manages the country's money supply to keep prices stable.

• Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)

  Decides whether to bring criminal charges and conducts prosecutions in court on behalf of the State.

• Office of the Attorney-General (AG)

  The Government's main legal adviser. Drafts laws and represents the State in court.

• Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP)

  Registers political parties and makes sure they follow the law on party conduct and financing.

• Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)

  Protects Kenya's territory and people. Made up of the Kenya Army, the Air Force, and the Navy.

• National Intelligence Service (NIS)

  Collects and analyses information to protect Kenya from security threats at home and abroad.

• National Security Council (NSC)

  Oversees the country's security services and advises the President on national security matters.

• National Police Service (NPS)

  Keeps law and order across Kenya. Includes the Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service.