He represented Halifax in the House of Commons of Canada from 1887 to 1896 as a Conservative member.

He was born in Halifax, the son of Edward Kenny and Ann Forrestall, and was educated at Stonyhurst College and the Collège Saint-Servais.

On his return, he entered the family dry goods business, taking over its operation around 1870.

At one time, Kenny was part-owner of 18 ships; he sold his shares in several and expanded into manufacturing, becoming involved in sugar refining and cotton.

In 1856, he married Margaret Jones Bourke, a descendant of the Dutch American Roosevelt and Schuyler families.