Katiba Day: KHRC accuses Ruto of undermining 2010 Constitution
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has accused President William Ruto’s administration of undermining the 2010 Constitution, even as the country marked the 15th anniversary of its promulgation.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, KHRC said that while the Constitution was meant to deliver a democratic, accountable, and people-centred state, its promise has been eroded by repeated violations.
You might also like
“The Constitution’s transformative promise remains largely unfulfilled. Peaceful protesters, particularly young Kenyans in the recent Gen Z-led demonstrations, have been met with bullets, abductions, and killings. This undermined the right to assemble and petition under Article 37,” KHRC stated.
The watchdog accused the Executive of disobeying court orders, eroding judicial independence, and weakening Parliament and oversight institutions. It said independent commissions created under Chapter 15 had been starved of resources or put under the control of the Executive, crippling their ability to check abuse of power.
KHRC also faulted the government for weakening devolution by delaying and underfunding counties, leaving critical services such as health and education to collapse. It further criticised populist directives like the victims’ compensation framework and the multi-agency anti-corruption taskforce, saying they bypass constitutional processes and usurp the mandates of independent bodies.
“Meanwhile, corruption and wastage of public resources remain rampant, robbing Kenyans of opportunities and deepening inequality. At the same time, the regime has failed to realise the socio-economic rights guaranteed under Article 43. Millions of Kenyans face worsening unemployment, collapsing education standards, and a failing health system,” KHRC said.
The organisation dismissed Ruto’s proclamation of Katiba Day as a political manoeuvre rather than a genuine effort to honour the Constitution.
“President William Ruto’s declaration of Katiba Day appears less about honouring the Constitution and more about sanitising a record of consistent violations,” it added.
For the past fourteen years, KHRC said citizens and civil society have marked the Constitution’s anniversary on their own, even without state recognition. KHRC emphasised that Katiba Day has always belonged to the people and is a moment to reflect, take stock, and recommit to protecting the country’s supreme law.
The group called on Kenyans to embrace this year’s theme, Inuka Uilinde “arise and defend the Constitution,” as a reminder that citizen action is the only safeguard against impunity.
“The Gen-Z movement has already shown the power of citizen action in exposing impunity. It must now be sustained and broadened,” KHRC said.
The commission also demanded that unlawful directives be abandoned, Executive interference in Parliament and the Judiciary end, oversight institutions be fully resourced, and justice be delivered to victims of state violence and corruption.
President Ruto officially declared August 27 as Katiba Day to be observed annually. The day, which will not be a public holiday, is to be marked through civic education activities organised by government institutions, schools, counties, the three arms of government, and Kenya’s missions abroad.
