What are the Constitutional changes since independence up august 2010 in Kenya?

Changes in the legislature.
1965.
• If a member of parliament is sentenced to prison term of six or more months he would lose his seat.
• A Member of Parliament who missed eight consecutive parliamentary meetings without the speaker’s permission would lose his seat.
1966.
• A member who resigned from the party that sponsored him to parliament was to vacate his or her seat.
• The bicameral legislature, were merged, establishing a unicameral legislature called the national assembly.
• All candidates vying for an election were to be nominated by a political party.
• The 12 specially elected members were substituted with 12 members nominated by the president.
1975.
• English and Kiswahili were used as a means of communication.
1982.
• Section 2A of the constitution was amended.

1986.
• The number of parliamentary constituencies was raised to a maximum of 188.
1991.
• Section 2A was repealed making Kenya a multi-party state.
• The number of parliamentary constituencies was fixed at a maximum of 210.
1997.
• The power to appoint nominated members of the national assembly was passed to the political parties.
2010.
• Members of parliament were increased from 210 to 290.
• Bicameral legislature was introduced.
• County assemblies were introduced in the counties to pass legislations.

Changes in the executive.
1964.
• The post of executive president who was the head of state and government was created.
• The position of the prime minister and governor-general was abolished.
1966.
• The public security act was passed, allowing the president special emergency powers such as detaining people without trial.
• President elected directly by all voters.
• The vice-president would act for 90 days in case a vacancy in the office of the president.
1969.
• All members of electoral commission members were appointed by the president.
1975.
• President was allowed to pardon election offenders.
1979.
• Public servants who desired to vie for positions in general elections were required to resign six months before the general elections.
1982.
• The position of chief secretary as the head of civil service was created.
1985.
• Membership to the public service commission was increased from 7 to 17 members.
1986.
• The security of tenure of the offices of attorney-general, controller and auditor-general was lifted.
• Chief Secretary Position was abolished.
1990.
• The security of tenure attorney-general, controller and auditor-general was restored.
1992.
• The presidential term of office was limited to two.
1997.
• The number of electoral commissioner was increased to 24.
• Detention without trial was abolished.
• Public order act was amended to allow meetings without seeking permission from the police.
• The chiefs’ act was amended, limiting the chief’s power to arrest people, compel attendance at Barazas and procure labour.
2008.
• National accord created the position of prime minister and two deputies prime minister.
• A coalition government was created and president to share power with the prime minister.
• Presidential appointments were to be made in consultations with the prime minister.
2010.
• Devolution of power through creation of county governments.
• The position of deputy president was created.
• Position of cabinet ministers was renamed to cabinet secretaries was set to a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 22.
• Cabinet secretaries were not to be members of parliament.
• All presidential appointments were to be approved by the national assembly.


Changes in the judiciary.
1965.
• The title of the Supreme Court was changed to the high court.
1977.
• The Kenya court of appeal was established to replace the east Africa court of appeal which had collapsed along with the east African community.
1985.
• The high court became the highest court of appeal for election petition.
• 1986.
• All capital offences were made non-bail able.
1988.
• The period of detention before charging criminals was increased from 24 hours to 14 days.
• The security of tenure of the judges was removed.
1990.
• The security of tenure of the judges was restored.
2010.
• The Supreme Court was established as the highest court.
• The position of deputy chief justice was created.
• The judiciary service commission was reconstituted to include representatives of the public, judges, magistrates and the public service commission.
• Appointment of the chief justice was to be made by the president with recommendation of the judicial commission and subject to the approval of the national assembly.

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ericmunguti answered the question on September 21, 2018 at 09:16