State offices are a collectivity of offices, organs and other entities comprising the government of the Republic under this Constitution. They are held by State officers who are tasked with representing interests of the citizens, propose and amend laws, and oversee the performance of the government and other state organs to ensure transparency and accountability and while at it ensuring government resources are put into good use.
They include the office of the President, Deputy President, Cabinet Secretary, Member of Parliament, Judges and Magistrates Attorney-General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Secretary to the Cabinet just to mention but a few. Of these State Offices, eight are occupied by the eight leaders elected during general elections to serve in both national and county governments.
The Constitution provides that, before assuming a State office, acting in a State office, or performing any functions of a State office, a person shall take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation of office, in the manner and form prescribed under an Act of Parliament. Here are the required qualifications for one to hold a state office in Kenya.
Qualification
- Must be a Kenyan citizen by birth with no owed allegiance to any foreign state or with dual citizenship, unless citizenship of the other country has been obtained by operation of law without the capacity to opt-out.
- Must be a degree from a recognized university in Kenya.
- Must demonstrate the ability to carry out his duties and ensure that the services that he provides are provided efficiently and honestly in a way that maintains public confidence in the integrity of his office.
- Must demonstrate the ability to behave, whether in public and official life, in private life, or in association with other persons, in a manner that avoids any conflict between personal interests and public or official duties, compromising any public or official interest in favor of personal interest, demeaning the office the officer holds.
- Must meet the moral and ethical requirements under the Leadership and Integrity Act by demonstrating that he will able to carry out his duties in accordance with the law, shall not violate the rights and freedoms of any person.
- Must not be an undischarged bankrupt or be a person of unsound mind.
- Must not have been found to have abused or misused state or public office, or contravened Chapter Six of the Constitution or dismissed or removed from public office for contravening the provisions
