This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Kenya statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Kenyan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Kenyan-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 5.2: : Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life |
| Indicator |
Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliament and (b) County Assemblies |
| Series |
Annualy |
| Metadata update |
2023 |
| Related indicators |
16.7.1 |
| Organisation |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Contact person(s) |
Director General |
| Contact organisation unit |
Directorate of Population and Social Statistics |
| Contact person function |
Collect, compile, analyze and disseminate statistics on governance peace and security, gender, education and health. |
| Contact phone |
+254 735004401,+254 202911001,+254 202911000 |
| Contact mail |
P.O. Box 30266 – 00100 Nairobi |
| Contact email |
info@knbs.or.ke, diectorgeneral@knbs.or.ke |
| Definition and concepts |
Definition: The proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments, currently as of 1 January of reporting year, is currently measured as the number of seats held by women members in both the national assembly and senate, expressed as a percentage of all occupied seats. Seats refer to the number of parliamentary mandates or the number of members of parliament Concepts: Seats are usually won by members in general parliamentary elections. Seats may also be filled by nomination, appointment, indirect election, rotation of members, and by-election. |
| Unit of measure |
Per cent |
| Classifications |
None |
| Data sources |
Administrative data from Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) |
| Data collection method |
KNBS sends a data template to the parliamentary service commission. They compile the data from their administrative records on the number of elective seats held by women. Internal review and validation of the given data is done by KNBS |
| Data collection calendar |
Annualy |
| Data release calendar |
Annualy |
| Data providers |
Parliamentary Service Commission |
| Data compilers |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Institutional mandate |
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is established under the Statistics Act, 2006 as the principal agency of the Government for collecting, analyzing and disseminating statistical data in Kenya and as the custodian of official statistical information. |
| Rationale |
The indicator measures the degree to which women have equal access to parliamentary decision-making. Women’s participation in parliaments is a key aspect of women’s empowerment. A representative parliament also allows the different experiences of men and women to affect the social, and economic future of societies. |
| Comment and limitations |
None |
| Method of computation |
Proportion of seats held by women in the national parliament or senate is derived by dividing the total number of seats occupied by women by the total number of seats in parliament. And multiplied by 100. Normalizing is not done. The formula is shown below; |
| Validation |
Upon receiving filled-in data templates from PSC, KNBS reviews and validates the data as per the Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KeSQAF) and Principles of Official statistics through the Governance Peace and Security Statistics Technical Working Committee |
| Methods and guidance available to countries for the compilation of the data at the national level |
Data on the number of women holding elective seats in parliament is provided by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). This data is compiled, analyzed and disseminated by KNBS. |
| Quality management |
Upon receiving filled-in data templates from PSC, KNBS reviews and validates the data as per the Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KeSQAF) and Principles of Official statistics through the Governance Peace and Security Statistics Technical Working |
| Quality assurance |
Upon receiving filled-in data templates from PSC, KNBS reviews and validates the data as per the Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KeSQAF) and Principles of Official statistics through the Governance Peace and Security Statistics Technical Working Committee |
| Quality assessment |
. KNBS developed a quality assurance framework (KeSQAF), to record and reference the full range of quality concepts, dimensions, and practices. These include; Relevance, accuracy, reliability, timeliness, punctuality, accessibility, clarity, coherence, consistency, methodological soundness, and integrity. |
| Data availability and disaggregation |
Data Availability Data available at National level. Time Series 2014, 2022 Disaggregation Disaggregated by Senate and National Assembly |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
None |
| References and Documentation |
URI: https://www.knbs.or.ke/download/economic survey-2023 |
| Metadata last updated | Aug 28, 2025 |