Katiba Day: State slammed for deteriorating healthcare, education, and infrastructure
As Kenya marks 15 years since the adoption of the 2010 Constitution, Assistant Director at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Samson Omondi, has delivered a blunt assessment.
He says progress has stalled, key institutions are faltering, and many of the promises made to citizens remain painfully unfulfilled.
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Once hailed as a turning point toward equity, justice, and accountability, the Constitution is now under scrutiny as citizens and rights bodies question whether its lofty ambitions have been met.
Appearing on a local TV station on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Omondi delivered a sobering assessment of the current state of governance and public service delivery.
“There has been a decline in the promotion and protection of human rights, and the State, as the duty bearer, has failed in several areas. Our healthcare, education, and infrastructure are all declining on an upward trend,” Omondi said.
His remarks come at a time when many Kenyans are facing economic hardship, crumbling public services, and increasing concerns over corruption and impunity. The very pillars the Constitution was built to reinforce – human dignity, equity, and social justice – are now seen by many as eroding.
The 2010 Constitution introduced sweeping changes: a devolved system of government, a strengthened Bill of Rights, and independent institutions meant to check executive overreach. Yet, 15 years later, implementation gaps remain glaring.
“The challenge now is to move beyond rhetoric and deliver on the promises made in 2010 or risk further eroding public trust in the country’s democratic foundations.” He argued.
He said devolution, while credited with bringing services closer to the people, has been tainted by mismanagement and poor oversight. Meanwhile, hospitals and schools continue to suffer from chronic underfunding, staff shortages, and infrastructure decay.
Rights advocates also point to worrying trends, from shrinking civic space and delayed justice in courts to police brutality and rising inequality, as signs that constitutional ideals are being ignored.
“As Kenya reflects on a decade and a half of constitutional rule, there’s a renewed demand for leadership that truly upholds the values enshrined in the supreme law of the land,” he said.
