The Third Schedule contains the national oaths and solemn affirmations taken by key State officers at the moment they assume office.
In the classroom:
Use this schedule with Chapters Eight, Nine and Ten. Each oath translates constitutional duty into a public promise of allegiance, lawful conduct, impartial service and institutional integrity.
Third Schedule · National oaths and affirmations · Article 74, Article 141(3), Article 148(5), and Article 152(4).
Using this Schedule
Open each card to read the constitutional wording. Compare with Chapter Nine (Executive), Chapter Ten (Judiciary), and Chapter Eight (Legislature) for who takes which oath.
✎ Multiple choice — 10 questions
Questions follow the Third Schedule and its links to public office. Use Clue if needed.
1. National oaths and affirmations for State officers are primarily found in:
2. The Third Schedule is expressly referenced in provisions including:
3. A person assumes the office of President under the Constitution. The Third Schedule requires the President to take:
4. The Deputy President’s oath emphasises, among other duties:
5. Cabinet Secretaries undertake in their oath to be “true and faithful counsellor” to:
6. The Secretary to the Cabinet / Principal Secretary oath centres on:
7. Judicial officers’ oaths require impartial justice and mention upholding:
8. Members of Parliament swear or affirm to bear true faith and allegiance to:
9. Speaker and Deputy Speaker oaths add a duty to do right to persons in accordance with:
10. Third Schedule oaths connect most directly to Chapter Six themes of:
Clue
Your results
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Oath or solemn affirmation of allegiance of the President/Acting President and the Deputy President
Text of oath / affirmation
Read each numbered step in order.
I, , in full realisation of the high calling I assume as President/Acting President/ Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, do swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Kenya.
that I will obey, preserve, protect and defend this Constitution of Kenya, as by law established.
and all other laws of the Republic.
that I will protect and uphold the sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya.
(In the case of an oath — So help me God.)
Oath or solemn affirmation of due execution of office for the President/Acting President
Text of oath / affirmation
Read each numbered step in order.
I, , swear/solemnly affirm that I will truly and diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya in the office of the President/ Acting President of the Republic of Kenya.
that I will diligently discharge my duties.
and perform my functions in the Office of President/Acting President of the Republic of Kenya.
and I will do justice to all in accordance with this Constitution, as by law established, and the laws of Kenya, without fear, favour, affection or ill-will.
(In the case of an oath — So help me God.)
Oath or solemn affirmation of due execution of office for the Deputy President
Text of oath / affirmation
Read each numbered step in order.
I, , do swear/solemnly affirm that I will always truly and diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya in the office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.
that I will diligently discharge my duties.
and perform my functions in the said office, to the best of my judgment.
that I will at all times, when so required, faithfully and truly give my counsel and advice to the President of the Republic of Kenya.
that I will do justice to all without fear, favour, affection or ill-will.
that I will not directly or indirectly reveal such matters as shall come to my knowledge in the discharge of my duties and committed to my secrecy.
(In the case of an oath — So help me God.)
Oath or solemn affirmation of due execution of office for a Cabinet Secretary
Text of oath / affirmation
Read each numbered step in order.
I, , being appointed a Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, do swear/solemnly affirm that I will at all times be faithful to the Republic of Kenya.
that I will obey, respect and uphold this Constitution of Kenya.
and all other laws of the Republic.
that I will well and truly serve the people and the Republic of Kenya in the Office of a Cabinet Secretary.
that I undertake to hold my office as Cabinet Secretary with honour and dignity.
that I will be a true and faithful counsellor to the President for the good management of the public affairs of the Republic of Kenya.
that I will not divulge directly or indirectly such matters as shall come to my knowledge in the discharge of my duties and committed to my secrecy.
except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Cabinet Secretary.
that I will perform the functions of my office conscientiously and to the best of my ability.
(In the case of an oath — So help me God.)
Oath or solemn affirmation of due execution of office for Secretary to the Cabinet / a Principal Secretary
Text of oath / affirmation
Read each numbered step in order.
I, , being called on to exercise the functions of Secretary to the Cabinet / a Principal Secretary, do swear/solemnly affirm that, except with the authority of the President, I will not directly or indirectly reveal the nature or contents of any business, proceedings or document of the Cabinet committed to my secrecy.
except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Secretary to the Cabinet / such Principal Secretary.
(In the case of an oath — So help me God.)
Oaths for the Chief Justice/President of the Supreme Court, judges of the Supreme Court, judges of the Court of Appeal and judges of the High Court
Text of oath / affirmation
Read each numbered step in order.
I, , (The Chief Justice/President of the Supreme Court, a judge of the Supreme Court, a judge of the Court of Appeal, a judge of the High Court) do (swear in the name of the Almighty God)/(solemnly affirm) to diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya and to impartially do Justice in accordance with this Constitution as by law established.
and the laws and customs of the Republic, without any fear, favour, bias, affection, ill-will, prejudice or any political, religious or other influence.
In the exercise of the judicial functions entrusted to me, I will at all times.
and to the best of my knowledge and ability, protect, administer and defend this Constitution with a view to upholding the dignity and the respect for the judiciary and the judicial system of Kenya and promoting fairness, independence, competence and integrity within it.
(So help me God.)
Oath / affirmation of Member of Parliament (Senate / National Assembly)
Text of oath / affirmation
Read each numbered step in order.
I, , having been elected a member of the Senate/National Assembly do swear (in the name of the Almighty God) (solemnly affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the People and the Republic of Kenya.
that I will obey, respect, uphold, preserve.
protect and defend this Constitution of the Republic of Kenya.
that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge the duties of a member of Parliament.
(So help me God.)
Oath for Speaker/Deputy Speaker of the Senate/National Assembly
Text of oath / affirmation
Read each numbered step in order.
I, , having been elected as Speaker/ Deputy Speaker of the Senate/ National Assembly do swear (in the name of the Almighty God) (solemnly affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the people and the Republic of Kenya.
that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as Speaker/Deputy Speaker of the Senate/National Assembly.
that I will obey, respect, uphold, preserve.
protect and defend this Constitution of the Republic of Kenya.
that I will do right to all manner of persons in accordance with this Constitution of Kenya and the laws and conventions of Parliament without fear or favour, affection or ill will.