Conflict of laws

English

(1)This Article applies to conflicts between national and county legislation in respect of matters falling within the concurrent jurisdiction of both levels of government.

(2)National legislation prevails over county legislation if—

(a)the national legislation applies uniformly throughout Kenya and any of the conditions specified in clause (3) is satisfied; or

(b)the national legislation is aimed at preventing unreasonable action by a county that—

(i)is prejudicial to the economic, health or security interests of Kenya or another county; or

(ii)impedes the implementation of national economic policy.

(3)The following are the conditions referred to in clause (2) (a)—

(a)the national legislation provides for a matter that cannot be regulated effectively by legislation enacted by the individual counties;

(b)the national legislation provides for a matter that, to be dealt with effectively, requires uniformity across the nation, and the national legislation provides that uniformity by establishing—

(i)norms and standards; or

(ii)national policies; or

(c)the national legislation is necessary for—

(i)the maintenance of national security;

(ii)the maintenance of economic unity;

(iii)the protection of the common market in respect of the mobility of goods, services, capital and labour;

(iv)the promotion of economic activities across county boundaries;

(v)the promotion of equal opportunity or equal access to government services; or

(vi)the protection of the environment.

(4)County legislation prevails over national legislation if neither of the circumstances contemplated in clause (2) apply.

(5)In considering an apparent conflict between legislation of different levels of government, a court shall prefer a reasonable interpretation of the legislation that avoids a conflict to an alternative interpretation that results in conflict.

(6)A decision by a court that a provision of legislation of one level of government prevails over a provision of legislation of another level of government does not invalidate the other provision, but the other provision is inoperative to the extent of the inconsistency.

Kiswahili

Mgongano wa sheria

(1)Kifungu hiki kinahusu mgongano kati ya sheria za kitaifa na zile za kaunti, katika masuala ambayo viwango vyote viwili vya serikali vina mamlaka au majukumu kuyahusu.

(2)Sheria ya kitaifa itatawala juu ya sheria ya kaunti ikiwa—

(a)sheria za kitaifa inatumika kwa usawa kote nchini Kenya na masharti mengine yaliyowekwa katika ibara ya (3) yametoshelezwa; au

(b)sheria ya kitaifa inalenga kudhibiti hatua zisizofaa katika kaunti, ikiwa hatua hizo—

(i)zinaweza kuwa na athari mbaya kiuchumi, kiafya au katika usalama wa Kenya au kaunti nyingine; au

(ii)zitazuia utekelezaji wa sera ya kiuchumi ya kitaifa.

(3)Masharti yanayorejelewa katika ibara ya (2) (a) ni kama yafuatayo (2) (a)––

(a)sheria ya kitaifa inatoa mwongozo kuhusu suala ambalo haliwezi kudhibitiwa kwa ufanisi na sheria zitakazotungwa katika kila kaunti;

(b)sheria ya kitaifa inatoa mwongozo kuhusu suala ambalo linahitaji usawa kote nchini ili kutekelezwa kwa ufanisi, na sheria hiyo ya kitaifa inatoa usawa huo kwa kubuni—

(i)kanuni na viwango vya ubora; au

(ii)sera za kitaifa; au

(c)sheria hiyo ya kitaifa ni muhimu katika—

(i)kudumisha usalama wa kitaifa;

(ii)kudumisha umoja wa kiuchumi;;

(iii)kulinda soko la shirikisho katika usafirishaji wa bidhaa, huduma, rasilimali na wafanyakazi;

(iv)kukuza shughuli za kiuchumi katika mipaka ya kaunti;

(v)kukuza nafasi sawa au usawa katika ufikiaji wa huduma za serikali; au

(vi)kulinda mazingira.

(4)Sheria ya kaunti zitatawala juu ya sheria ya kitaifa ikiwa hali zote zinazobainiwa katika ibara ya (2) hazitumiki.

(5)Katika kutatua mgongano kati ya sheria za viwango tofauti vya serikali, mahakama itapendelea ufasiri wa sheria ambao utazuia mgongano badala ya ufasiri ambao utapelekea mgongano.

(6)Uamuzi wa mahakama kwamba kifungu cha sheria ya kiwango kimoja cha serikali kinatawala juu ya kifungu katika sheria ya kiwango kingine cha serikali hakubatilishi kifungu cha sheria cha kiwango kile kingine, ila tu kifungu hicho hakitatekelezwa kwa kiwango ambacho hakiambatani na kifungu kilichoamuliwa kutawala.