Clans, age-sets and age grades formed the basis of government in the vast majority of Kenyan communities. Government in most traditional Kenyan societies was by councils of elders. Some communities, however, were ruled by chiefs or kings, 

Chiefs and Kings
The Luyia
The Luyia of Wanga had a ruler known as Nabongo. The position of Nabongo was hereditary and was usually passed down from father to son and in many cases remained within the ruling clan of shitsetse. The Nabongos ruled the districts of their kingdoms through chiefs who were normally appointed by them. However, councils of elders were also important. They acted as advisory councils either to the Nabongo or to the chiefs who ruled the districts. Clan councils still dealt with clan affairs and could be called to solve disputes between clans.

The Luo
The Luo clans were arranged in alliances called ogendini. Each oganda had a ruler with the title Ruoth who also had a council of elders to advise him. Its members were chosen from among the elders of the leading clans in the alliance and the council was called buch piny.

The Gusii
The Gusii and the Kuria also had chiefs who were called Omugambi. Although their status was hereditary, the advisory council of elders could dismiss them if they proved incompetent to lead. Another leader from their clan would replace them.

Religious Leaders
In some communities religious leaders were also important in the government. This was mainly in societies governed by elders as well as those governed by kings and chiefs. These religious leaders were often prophets or seers. It was believed that they could see into the future and so the political rulers sought after their opinion on many matters. Some important religious leaders were Mbatiany, the ol oiboni of the Maasai, and his descendants, Supeet and Lenena, as well as Koitalel arap Samoei, the orkoiyot of the Nandi who led the people in resistance to the British rule from 1896 to 1905.