Aasai

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has accused President William Ruto’s administration of undermining the 2010 Constitution, even as the country marked 15 years since its promulgation. In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the KHRC said that while the Constitution was intended to provide for a democratic, accountable, and people-centered government, its promise has been undermined by repeated violations. 

“The promise of constitutional reform has yet to be fulfilled. Peaceful protesters, especially Kenyan youths in the recent protests led by Gen. Z, were shot and killed, and their right to assemble and petition under Article 37 has been violated,” the KHRC said. 

The commission accused the Executive of disobeying court orders, undermining the independence of the judiciary and undermining Parliament and the institutions of governance. It said independent commissions established under Chapter 15 were under-resourced or placed under the control of the Executive, thereby weakening their ability to check abuse of power. 

The KHRC also accused the government of undermining devolution by delaying and under-funding counties, leaving essential services such as health and education to fall into disrepair. It also criticised popular mandates such as the victims’ compensation scheme and the multi-agency anti-corruption task force, saying they ignored constitutional processes and usurped the powers of independent bodies. “Meanwhile, corruption and waste of public resources remain rampant, robbing Kenyans of opportunities and widening inequality.

 At the same time, the government has failed to realise the social and economic rights guaranteed under Article 43. Millions of Kenyans face rising unemployment, declining education standards and a poor health system,” the KHRC said. serious efforts to uphold the Constitution. “President William Ruto’s Constitution Day declaration seems less about respecting the Constitution and more about cleaning up the record of repeated violations,” it added.

 For the past fourteen years, KHRC said citizens and civil society organizations have commemorated the Constitution on their own, even without government recognition. KHRC stressed that Constitution Day has always been about the people and is a time to reflect, examine, and recommit to protecting the supreme law of the land. The group called on Kenyans to embrace this year’s theme, Inuka Uilinde “rise up and defend the Constitution,” as a reminder that citizen action is the only safeguard against impunity.

 “The Gen-Z movement has already demonstrated the power of citizen action in exposing apathy. It must now be sustained and expanded,” KHRC said. The commission also called for the revocation of illegal orders, the end of interference by Parliament and the Judiciary, the full resourcing of oversight institutions, and justice for victims of government violence and corruption.

 President Ruto officially declared August 27 as Constitution Day to be observed annually. The day, which will not be a public holiday,It will be celebrated through civic education activities organized by government institutions, schools, counties, the three branches of government and Kenyan missions abroad.