Kenya: Reclaiming the Promise of Katiba at 16: Protecting Civic Space and Advancing Economic and Social Rights for All

Today, Amnesty International Kenya joins the people of Kenya in commemorating the 16th anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya (2010). On 27 August 2010, millions of Kenyans ushered in a transformative governance charter designed to address decades of authoritarian governance, historical injustices, inequality, and systemic exclusion. At its promulgation, Katiba 2010 presented a social contract rooted in human dignity, social justice, human rights, and the rule of law. Sixteen years later, we reflect on an enduring journey of resilience, celebrate monumental triumphs, and confront persistent human rights violations, institutional failures and attempts to undermine constitutional safeguards. As we reflect on this 16th anniversary, Amnesty International Kenya reminds both state and non-state actors that the Constitution is not a static legal text but a living testament to the struggles of Kenyan citizens. In particular, we want to point out that while our constitutional architecture remains robust, its operationalisation has become a contested battleground in which the sovereign power of the people is frequently undermined by political interests, institutional fa