NAIROBI, Kenya – Civil society organizations have accused President William Ruto’s administration of undermining Kenya’s Constitution, saying the country has failed to live up to the democratic and accountability promises envisioned 15 years ago.
In a statement marking Katiba Day, more than 20 rights groups said the government has consistently disregarded constitutional provisions, weakened independent institutions, and failed to protect citizens’ rights.
“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,” the groups said.
#PressStatement Katiba Day belongs to the people, not to those who betray it
They accused the Executive of ignoring court orders, interfering with the Judiciary and Parliament, and starving oversight bodies of resources, leaving them vulnerable to political manipulation.
Devolution, touted as one of the Constitution’s greatest gains, has also been “systematically weakened” through delayed and inadequate county funding, crippling healthcare, education, and other essential services.
The organizations further criticized the government’s approach to corruption and public resource management, pointing to wastage, impunity, and populist directives that bypass legal processes.
“Millions of Kenyans face worsening unemployment, collapsing education standards, and a failing health system,” the statement read.
The civil society coalition also dismissed President Ruto’s recent declaration of Katiba Day, saying it was less about honoring the Constitution and more about sanitizing “a record of consistent violations.”
For the past 14 years, the groups noted, Kenyans have marked the day without the need for presidential proclamation, using it as an opportunity to reflect on constitutional gains and shortcomings.
This year’s theme, Inuka Ulinde (“arise and defend the Constitution”), was framed as a call to action for citizens to resist political expediency and reclaim the Constitution as their own.
The groups demanded three key measures: fidelity to constitutional provisions, an end to executive interference in Parliament and the Judiciary, and justice for victims of state violence and corruption.
Among the signatories were the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Transparency International Kenya, Katiba Institute, Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), and the Defenders Coalition.
“Katiba Day belongs to the people, not to those who betray it,” the statement concluded.
