Editor's Review

  • In Kenya, the current Constitution does not provide for a term limit for Members of Parliament, Senate and County Assemblies.

In Kenya, the current Constitution does not provide for a term limit for Members of Parliament, Senate and County Assemblies.

This means that a seating legislator is free to defend his/her seat as long as he/she wants or until such a time when the electorate decide to kick the member out at the ballot.

In Kenya, once elected, a Member of Parliament serves for five years, after which an election is held. If re-elected, they serve for another five years then the cycle continues.

In the current Parliament, some members are in their first term, while others are serving their fourth and fifth terms. Below is a list of 10 longest-serving MPs in Kenya currently:

1. Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North) – 5 terms

2. Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria) – 4 terms

3. Maina Kamanda (Nominated) – 4 terms

4. Adan Kaynan (Eldas) – 4 terms

5. Gideon Konchella (Kilgoris) – 4 terms

6. Maoka Maore (Igembe North) – 4 terms

7. Cecile Mbarire (Nominated) – 4 terms

8. Katoo Ole Metito (Kajiado South) – 4 terms

9. Naomi Shaban (Taveta) – 4 terms

10. Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi) – 4 terms


Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi [Photo: Courtesy]

In the Senate, Siaya Senator James Orengo and his Vihiga counterpart George Khaniri are some of the veteran having served in Parliament for several terms before moving to Senate.

Prior to joining Senate, Senator Khaniri has been an MP from 1996 to 2013. Currently, he is in his second term, meaning he’s cumulatively served in Parliament for 5 terms.

On his part, Senator Orengo also served for three terms in the National Assembly and he’s currently in his second term at the Senate. Cumulatively, he has also been in Parliament for five terms.