The legal framework for elections requires objective drawing of electoral unit boundaries to achieve the principle of equal weight to each vote. To the greatest degree, this principle is aimed at ensuring effective representation and a translation of the will of the electorate into a representative government. It should be noted that the ideal international standards for delimitation is the equality of voting power for each vote so as to provide effective representation. Thus, boundary delimitation by its very nature is intended to produce the result of effective representation.
Indeed Article 89(1) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 states clearly the number of constituencies that are supposed to be in place - maximum of two hundred and ninety (290). Further, the Constitution stipulates the criteria and procedures that need to be applied in the delimitation of boundaries and which notably shall be undertaken at intervals of not less than eight years and not more than twelve years. This has to be completed at least twelve months before a general election.