Katiba Institute Executive Director Nora Mbagathi speaking in Nairobi during celebrations to mark the inaugural Katiba Day/HANDOUTKenya is still far from fully realising the promises of the 2010 Constitution, Katiba Institute Executive Director Nora Mbagathi has said.
Speaking in Nairobi during celebrations to mark the inaugural Katiba Day, Mbagathi urged Kenyans to remain vigilant in defending their hard-won constitutional rights, warning that recent trends threaten to erode democratic gains.
“We see police violence, abductions, killings, and renditions, the ignoring of court orders, and attempts to undermine, dismantle, or amend our supreme law. Independent institutions are under attack, and oversight bodies co-opted or undermined,” she said.
The Katiba Institute, a non-governmental organisation that promotes constitutionalism through research, litigation, and civic education, was part of the event as part of the 15-year anniversary of the Constitution’s promulgation.
Mbagathi noted that despite challenges, Kenyans have made significant strides in embracing the Constitution, particularly in the judiciary.
“Our courts are consistently called upon to interpret laws and actions, including those by government, to ensure they align with the Constitution. That shows people are engaging with the Katiba directly every day,” she said.
She highlighted key gains, including devolution, which has brought governance closer to the people, and the constitutional recognition that sovereign power belongs to citizens. But she stressed that these gains remain fragile.
“The Constitution has taken a battering, and the people of Kenya have taken a battering. Yet Kenyans remain united in demanding fidelity to the Katiba,” she added.
Reflecting on the significance of August 27 being designated as Katiba Day, Mbagathi warned that symbolic gestures ring hollow amid ongoing violations.
“The designation of Katiba Day seems performative when we see constitutional violations and the flaunting of court orders. As Kenyans, we gave ourselves this Constitution, and we must protect it beyond ceremonial observances,” she said.
She called on Kenyans to actively participate in the ongoing journey of implementation.
“What does full implementation mean to you? How can we achieve it? Let’s keep the fight to protect our Katiba going while celebrating the milestones achieved,” she urged.
