Raila celebrates Kenyans jailed in pursuit of the 2010 Constitution
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has celebrated Kenyans who fought in pursuit of the 2010 Constitution as Kenya celebrates 15 years since the promulgation of the supreme law with the first-ever Katiba Day.
In a message shared on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, on his official X account, Raila honoured those who made sacrifices in pursuit of constitutional reform while acknowledging that some ended up in jail, while others lost their lives in the fight.
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“Today, we mark the first #KatibaDay. We honor the brave Kenyans who fought—some jailed, some lost—to give us the 2010 Constitution,” Raila said.
Raila, who is also a key figure in the constitutional reform movement, called on Kenyans to recommit to the spirit of the constitution, which he described as a living document that must be protected, implemented, and improved over time.
“It’s a day to celebrate progress, reflect on what’s working, and boldly confront what isn’t. Let’s rethink how we exercise power directly, revisit devolution, and keep pushing for a better Kenya,” Raila said.
Raila’s plea
As Kenya marks 15 years of the constitution, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader also rallied for a three-tier governance structure in Kenya.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, during Katiba Day celebrations, Raila said Kenya is ripe for a broader conversation on how devolution can be made more effective.
According to the opposition chief, the current system of 47 counties is too fragmented to deliver meaningful development.
“The time has come for the country to re-examine the whole issue of devolution. Kenya, in my view, is too tiny for 47 devolved units; we are just five short of the US, which is a continent. Nigeria, with 200 million people, has 34 plus Abuja, South Africa has 9. I won’t advocate for the abolishment of any county, but I believe we are ripe for a three-tier system that has national, regional and county levels,” Raila remarked.
Expanding devolution
Raila explained that a three-tier governance system would not dismantle existing counties but instead create a structured regional level that can coordinate broader development.
In his view, the 2010 Constitution laid a solid foundation for devolution, but reforms are now needed to improve resource allocation and ensure equity across all regions.
