Source: http://defensewiki.ibj.org/index.php/THE_CONSTITUTION_OF_THE_REPUBLIC_OF_KENYA
Timestamp: 2013-05-22 23:59:58
Document Index: 319940256

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 1', 'ART 2', 'ART 3', 'ART 4', 'art 5', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'ART 1', 'ART 2', 'ART 3', 'ART 4', 'art 5', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5']

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA - Criminal Defense Wiki
2 CHAPTER ONE - SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE AND SUPREMACY OF THIS CONSTITUTION
3 CHAPTER TWO - THE REPUBLIC
4 CHAPTER THREE - CITIZENSHIP
5 CHAPTER FOUR - THE BILL OF RIGHTS
5.1 PART 1 - General Provisions Relating to the Bill of Rights
5.2 PART 2 - Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
5.3 PART 3 - Specific Application of Rights
5.4 PART 4 - State of Emergency
5.5 Part 5 - Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission
6 CHAPTER FIVE - Land and Environment
6.1 Part 1 - Land
6.2 Part 2 - Environment and Natural Resources
7 CHAPTER SIX - Leadership and Integrity
8 CHAPTER SEVEN - Representation of the People
8.1 Part 1 - Electoral System and Process
8.2 Part 2 - Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and Delimitation of Electoral Units
8.3 Part 3 - Political Parties
9 CHAPTER EIGHT - The Legislature
9.1 Part 1 - Establishment and Role of Parliament
9.2 Part 2 - Composition and Membership of Parliament
9.3 Part 3 - Offices of Parliament
9.4 Part 4 - Procedures for Enacting Legislation
9.5 Part 5 - Parliament’s General Procedures and Rules
Preamble We, the people of Kenya�" ACKNOWLEDGING the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation:
ADOPT, ENACT and give this Constitution to ourselves and to our future generations. GOD BLESS KENYA CHAPTER ONE - SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE AND SUPREMACY OF THIS CONSTITUTION
(3) Sovereign power under this Constitution is delegated to the following State organs, which shall perform their functions in accordance with this Constitution�"�"
(4) The sovereign power of the people is exercised at�"�"
3. (1) Every person has an obligation to respect, uphold and defend this Constitution.
4. (1) Kenya is a sovereign Republic.
5. Kenya consists of the territory and territorial waters comprising Kenya on the effective date, and any additional territory and territorial waters as defined by an Act of Parliament.
(2) The governments at the national and county levels are distinct and inter-dependent and shall conduct their mutual relations on the basis of consultation and cooperation. (3) A national State organ shall ensure reasonable access to its services in all parts of the Republic, so far as it is appropriate to do so having regard to the nature of the service.
7. (1) The national language of the Republic is Kiswahili.
(3) The State shall�"�"
(a) promote and protect the diversity of language of the people of Kenya; and (b) promote the development and use of indigenous languages, Kenyan Sign language, Braille and other communication formats and technologies accessible to persons with disabilities.
9. (1) The national symbols of the Republic are�"�"
(3) The national days are�"�"
10.(1) The national values and principles of governance in this Article bind all State organs, State officers, public officers and all persons whenever any of them�"�"
(a) applies or interprets this Constitution; (b) enacts, applies or interprets any law; or
(2) The national values and principles of governance include�"�"
11. (1) This Constitution recognises culture as the foundation of the nation and as the cumulative civilization of the Kenyan people and nation.
(2) The State shall�" (a) promote all forms of national and cultural expression through literature, the arts, traditional celebrations, science, communication, information, mass media, publications, libraries and other cultural heritage;
(3) Parliament shall enact legislation to�"
CHAPTER THREE - CITIZENSHIP 12. (1) Every citizen is entitled to�"�"
(2) A passport or other document referred to in clause (1) (b) may be denied, suspended or confiscated only in accordance with an Act of Parliament that satisfies the criteria mentioned in Article 24. 13. (1) Every person who was a citizen immediately before the effective date retains the same citizenship status as of that date. (2) Citizenship may be acquired by birth or registration.
17. (1) If a person acquired citizenship by registration, the citizenship may be revoked if the person�"�"
(d) has, at any time after registration, been convicted of treason, or of an offence for which�"�" (i) a penalty of at least seven years imprisonment may be imposed; or
(2) The citizenship of a person who was presumed to be a citizen by birth, as contemplated in Article 14 (4), may be revoked if�"�"
18. Parliament shall enact legislation�"
(e) prescribing procedures for revocation of citizenship; (f) prescribing the duties and rights of citizens; and
CHAPTER FOUR - THE BILL OF RIGHTS PART 1 - General Provisions Relating to the Bill of Rights 19. (1) The Bill of Rights is an integral part of Kenya’s democratic state and is the framework for social, economic and cultural policies.
(3) The rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights"
20. (1) The Bill of Rights applies to all law and binds all State organs and all persons.
(3) In applying a provision of the Bill of Rights, a court shall�"
(b) adopt the interpretation that most favours the enforcement of a right or fundamental freedom. (4) In interpreting the Bill of Rights, a court, tribunal or other authority shall promote�"�"
(5) In applying any right under Article 43, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, a court, tribunal or other authority shall be guided by the following principles�"�"
(c) the court, tribunal or other authority may not interfere with a decision by a State organ concerning the allocation of available resources, solely on the basis that it would have reached a different conclusion. 21. (1) It is a fundamental duty of the State and every State organ to observe, respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights.
(2) The State shall take legislative, policy and other measures, including the setting of standards, to achieve the progressive realisation of the rights guaranteed under Article 43. (3) All State organs and all public officers have the duty to address the needs of vulnerable groups within society, including women, older members of society, persons with disabilities, children, youth, members of minority or marginalised communities, and members of particular ethnic, religious or cultural communities. (4) The State shall enact and implement legislation to fulfil its international obligations in respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
(2) In addition to a person acting in their own interest, court proceedings under clause (1) may be instituted by�"�"
(3) The Chief Justice shall make rules providing for the court proceedings referred to in this Article, which shall satisfy the criteria that�"�"
(a) the rights of standing provided for in clause (2) are fully facilitated; (b) formalities relating to the proceedings, including commencement of the proceedings, are kept to the minimum, and in particular that the court shall, if necessary, entertain proceedings on the basis of informal documentation;
23. (1) The High Court has jurisdiction, in accordance with Article 165, to hear and determine applications for redress of a denial, violation or infringement of, or threat to, a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights.
(3) In any proceedings brought under Article 22, a court may grant appropriate relief, including�"�"
(c) a conservatory order; (d) a declaration of invalidity of any law that denies, violates, infringes, or threatens a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights and is not justified under Article 24;
24. (1) A right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights shall not be limited except by law, and then only to the extent that the limitation is reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom, taking into account all relevant factors, including�"�"
(e) the relation between the limitation and its purpose and whether there are less restrictive means to achieve the purpose. (2) Despite clause (1), a provision in legislation limiting a right or fundamental freedom�"
(5) Despite clause (1) and (2), a provision in legislation may limit the application of the rights or fundamental freedoms in the following provisions to persons serving in the Kenya Defence Forces or the National Police Service�"�"
(a) Article 31�"Privacy;
(b) Article 36�"Freedom of association;
(c) Article 37�"Assembly, demonstration, picketing and petition;
(d) Article 41�"Labour relations;
(e) Article 43�"Economic and social rights; and
(f) Article 49�"Rights of arrested persons.
25. Despite any other provision in this Constitution, the following rights and fundamental freedoms shall not be limited�"�"
(c) the right to a fair trial; and (d) the right to an order of habeas corpus.
PART 2 - Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 26. (1) Every person has the right to life.
(5) A person shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against another person on any of the grounds specified or contemplated in clause (4). (6) To give full effect to the realisation of the rights guaranteed under this Article, the State shall take legislative and other measures, including affirmative action programmes and policies designed to redress any disadvantage suffered by individuals or groups because of past discrimination. (7) Any measure taken under clause (6) shall adequately provide for any benefits to be on the basis of genuine need.
29.Every person has the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right not to be�"
(e) subjected to corporal punishment; or (f) treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner.
30. (1) A person shall not be held in slavery or servitude.
31. Every person has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have�"
33. (1) Every person has the right to freedom of expression, which includes�"
(2) The right to freedom of expression does not extend to�"
(d) advocacy of hatred that�"
34. (1) Freedom and independence of electronic, print and all other types of media is guaranteed, but does not extend to any expression specified in Article 33 (2).
(2) The State shall not�"
(3) Broadcasting and other electronic media have freedom of establishment, subject only to licensing procedures that�"
(4) All State-owned media shall�"
(5) Parliament shall enact legislation that provides for the establishment of a body, which shall�"
35. (1) Every citizen has the right of access to�"
(2) A person shall not be compelled to join an association of any kind. (3) Any legislation that requires registration of an association of any kind shall provide that�"
38. (1) Every citizen is free to make political choices, which includes the right�"
(2) Every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections based on universal suffrage and the free expression of the will of the electors for�"
(3) Every adult citizen has the right, without unreasonable restrictions�"
39. (1) Every person has the right to freedom of movement.
40. (1) Subject to Article 65, every person has the right, either individually or in association with others, to acquire and own property�"�"
(2) Parliament shall not enact a law that permits the State or any person�"
(3) The State shall not deprive a person of property of any description, or of any interest in, or right over, property of any description, unless the deprivation�"
(b) is for a public purpose or in the public interest and is carried out in accordance with this Constitution and any Act of Parliament that�"
(i) requires prompt payment in full, of just compensation to the person; and (ii) allows any person who has an interest in, or right over, that property a right of access to a court of law.
(2) Every worker has the right�"
(3) Every employer has the right�"
(4) Every trade union and every employers’ organisation has the right�"
42. Every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes the right�"
(a) to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through legislative and other measures, particularly those contemplated in Article 69; and (b) to have obligations relating to the environment fulfilled under Article 70.
43. (1) Every person has the right— (a) to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services, including reproductive health care;
45. (1) The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society and the necessary basis of social order, and shall enjoy the recognition and protection of the State.
49. (1) An arrested person has the right—
(6) A person who is convicted of a criminal offence may petition the High Court for a new trial if–– (a) the person’s appeal, if any, has been dismissed by the highest court to which the person is entitled to appeal, or the person did not appeal within the time allowed for appeal; and (b) new and compelling evidence has become available.
51. (1) A person who is detained, held in custody or imprisoned under the law, retains all the rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights, except to the extent that any particular right or a fundamental freedom is clearly incompatible with the fact that the person is detained, held in custody or imprisoned.
PART 3 - Specific Application of Rights 52. (1) This Part elaborates certain rights to ensure greater certainty as to the application of those rights and fundamental freedoms to certain groups of persons.
54. (1) A person with any disability is entitled––
57. The State shall take measures to ensure the rights of older persons––
PART 4 - State of Emergency 58. (1) A state of emergency may be declared only under Article 132 (4) (d) and only when––
(ii) the legislation is consistent with the Republic’s obliga­tions under international law applicable to a state of emergency; and
Part 5 - Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission 59. (1) There is established the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission. (2) The functions of the Commission are—
(b) to promote gender equality and equity generally and to coordinate and facilitate gender mainstreaming in national development; (c) to promote the protection, and observance of human rights in public and private institutions;
(d) to monitor, investigate and report on the observance of human rights in all spheres of life in the Republic, including observance by the national security organs; (e) to receive and investigate complaints about alleged abuses of human rights and take steps to secure appropriate redress where human rights have been violated;
(j) to report on complaints investigated under paragraphs (h) and (i) and take remedial action; and (k) to perform any other functions prescribed by legislation.
CHAPTER FIVE - Land and Environment Part 1 - Land 60. (1) Land in Kenya shall be held, used and managed in a manner that is equitable, efficient, productive and sustainable, and in accordance with the following principles—
(a) equitable access to land; (b) security of land rights; (c) sustainable and productive management of land resources;
(f) all minerals and mineral oils as defined by law; (g) government forests other than forests to which Article 63 (2) (d) (i) applies, government game reserves, water catchment areas, national parks, government animal sanctuaries, and specially protected areas;
64. Private land consists of —
(b) property held in trust shall be regarded as being held by a citizen only if all of the beneficial interest of the trust is held by persons who are citizens. (4) Parliament may enact legislation to make further provision for the operation of this Article.
68. Parliament shall—
(i) to prescribe minimum and maximum land holding acre­ages in respect of private land;
(ii) to regulate the manner in which any land may be con­verted from one category to another;
Part 2 - Environment and Natural Resources 69. (1) The State shall—
(c) protect and enhance intellectual property in, and indigenous knowledge of, biodiversity and the genetic resources of the communities; (d) encourage public participation in the management, protection and conservation of the environment;
(2) On application under clause (1), the court may make any order, or give any directions, it considers appropriate–– (a) to prevent, stop or discontinue any act or omission that is harmful to the environment;
71. (1) A transaction is subject to ratification by Parliament if it––
(b) is entered into on or after the effective date. (2) Parliament shall enact legislation providing for the classes of transactions subject to ratification under clause (1).
72. Parliament shall enact legislation to give full effect to the provisions of this Part.
CHAPTER SIX - Leadership and Integrity 73.(1) Authority assigned to a State officer—
(a) is a public trust to be exercised in a manner that (i) is consistent with the purposes and objects of this Con­stitution;
(iv) promotes public confidence in the integrity of the of­fice; and
(2) The guiding principles of leadership and integrity include— (a) selection on the basis of personal integrity, competence and suitability, or election in free and fair elections;
(c) selfless service based solely on the public interest, demonstrated by— (i) honesty in the execution of public duties; and
74. Before assuming a State office, acting in a State office, or performing any functions of a State office, a person shall take and subscribe the oath or affirmation of office, in the manner and form prescribed by the Third Schedule or under an Act of Parliament.
(3) A person who has been dismissed or otherwise removed from office for a contravention of the provisions mentioned in clause (2) is disqualified from holding any other State office.
76. (1) A gift or donation to a State officer on a public or official occasion is a gift or donation to the Republic and shall be delivered to the State unless exempted under an Act of Parliament.
(2) A State officer shall not— (a) maintain a bank account outside Kenya except in accordance with an Act of Parliament; or
(b) seek or accept a personal loan or benefit in circumstances that compromise the integrity of the State officer.
(3) A retired State officer who is receiving a pension from public funds shall not hold more than two concurrent remunerative positions as chairperson, director or employee of—
(4) A retired State officer shall not receive remuneration from public funds other than as contemplated in clause (3).
(b) any person who has been made a citizen of another country by operation of that country’s law, without ability to opt out.
79. Parliament shall enact legislation to establish an independent ethics and anti-corruption commission, which shall be and have the status and powers of a commission under Chapter Fifteen, for purposes of ensuring compliance with, and enforcement of, the provisions of this Chapter. 80. Parliament shall enact legislation—
(a) establishing procedures and mechanisms for the effective administration of this Chapter;
(b) prescribing the penalties, in addition to the penalties referred to in Article 75, that may be imposed for a contravention of this Chapter;
(c) providing for the application of this Chapter, with the necessary modifications, to public officers; and
(d) making any other provision necessary for ensuring the promotion of the principles of leadership and integrity mentioned in this Chapter, and the enforcement of this Chapter.
CHAPTER SEVEN - Representation of the People Part 1 - Electoral System and Process 81. The electoral system shall comply with the following principles––
(a) freedom of citizens to exercise their political rights under Article 38; (b) not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender;
(ii) free from violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption; (iii) conducted by an independent body; (iv) transparent; and
82. (1) Parliament shall enact legislation to provide for—
(c) the continuous registration of citizens as voters; (d) the conduct of elections and referenda and the regulation and efficient supervision of elections and referenda, including the nomination of candidates for elections; and
(2) Legislation required by clause (1) (d) shall ensure that voting at every election is— (a) simple; (b) transparent; and (c) takes into account the special needs of—
(ii) other persons or groups with special needs. 83. (1) A person qualifies for registration as a voter at elections or referenda if the person—
(a) is an adult citizen; (b) is not declared to be of unsound mind; and
(3) Administrative arrangements for the registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be designed to facilitate, and shall not deny, an eligible citizen the right to vote or stand for election. 84. In every election, all candidates and all political parties shall comply with the code of conduct prescribed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
85. Any person is eligible to stand as an independent candidate for election if the person–
Part 2 - Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and Delimitation of Electoral Units 88. (1) There is established the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
(b) holds any State office. (3) A member of the Commission shall not hold another public office.
(g) voter education; (h) the facilitation of the observation, monitoring and evaluation of elections;
89. (1) There shall be two hundred and ninety constituencies for the purposes of the election of the members of the National Assembly provided for in Article 97 (1) (a). (2) The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall review the names and boundaries of constituencies at intervals of not less than eight years, and not more than twelve years, but any review shall be completed at least twelve months before a general election of members of Parliament.
(9) Subject to clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4), the names and details of the boundaries of constituencies and wards determined by the Commission shall be published in the Gazette, and shall come into effect on the dissolution of Parliament first following their publication. (10) A person may apply to the High Court for review of a decision of the Commission made under this Article. (11) An application for the review of a decision made under this Article shall be filed within thirty days of the publication of the decision in the Gazette and shall be heard and determined within three months of the date on which it is filed.
90. (1) Elections for the seats in Parliament provided for under Articles 97(1) (c) and 98 (1) (b), (c) and (d), and for the members of county assemblies under 177 (1) (b) and (c), shall be on the basis of proportional representation by use of party lists. (2) The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of elections for seats provided for under clause (1) and shall ensure that—
Part 3 - Political Parties 91. (1) Every political party shall—
(f) respect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, and gender equality and equity; (g) promote the objects and principles of this Constitution and the rule of law; and
(b) engage in or encourage violence by, or intimidation of, its members, supporters, opponents or any other person; (c) establish or maintain a paramilitary force, militia or similar organisation; (d) engage in bribery or other forms of corruption; or
92. Parliament shall enact legislation to provide for—
(a) the reasonable and equitable allocation of airtime, by State-owned and other mentioned categories of broadcasting media, to political parties either generally or during election campaigns; (b) the regulation of freedom to broadcast in order to ensure fair election campaigning;
CHAPTER EIGHT - The Legislature Part 1 - Establishment and Role of Parliament 93. (1) There is established a Parliament of Kenya, which shall consist of the National Assembly and the Senate.
(4) The National Assembly–– (a) determines the allocation of national revenue between the levels of government, as provided in Part 4 of Chapter Twelve;
Part 2 - Composition and Membership of Parliament 97. (1) The National Assembly consists of—
(a) two hundred and ninety members, each elected by the registered voters of single member constituencies; (b) forty-seven women, each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county constituting a single member constituency;
(d) the Speaker, who is an ex officio member. (2) Nothing in this Article shall be construed as excluding any person from contesting an election under clause (1)(a).
(a) forty-seven members each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county constituting a single member constituency; (b) sixteen women members who shall be nominated by political parties according to their proportion of members of the Senate elected under clause (a) in accordance with Article 90;
(d) two members, being one man and one woman, representing persons with disabilities; and (e) the Speaker, who shall be an ex officio member.
99. (1) Unless disqualified under clause (2), a person is eligible for election as a member of Parliament if the person— (a) is registered as a voter;
(ii) in the case of election to the Senate, by at least two thousand registered voters in the county. (2) A person is disqualified from being elected a member of Parliament if the person—
100. Parliament shall enact legislation to promote the representation in Parliament of— (a) women;
(c) youth; (d) ethnic and other minorities; and
(2) Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of a member of the National Assembly under Article 97 (1) (c), or of the Senate under Article 98 (1) (b), (c) or (d), the respective Speaker shall, within twenty-one days of the occurrence of the vacancy, give notice in writing of the vacancy to—
(3) A vacancy mentioned in clause (2) shall, subject to clause (5), be filled in the manner prescribed by an Act of Parliament within twenty-one days of the notification by the respective Speaker. (4) Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of a member of the National Assembly elected under Article 97 (1) (a) or (b), or of the Senate elected under Article 98 (1) (a)—
103. (1) The office of a member of Parliament becomes vacant—
(d) if the member resigns from Parliament in writing to the Speaker; (e) if, having been elected to Parliament––
104. (1) The electorate under Articles 97 and 98 have the right to recall the member of Parliament representing their constituency before the end of the term of the relevant House of Parliament.
(b) the seat of a member has become vacant. (2) A question under clause (1) shall be heard and determined within six months of the date of lodging the petition.
Part 3 - Offices of Parliament 106. (1) There shall be—
107. (1) At any sitting of a House of Parliament—
(a) the Speaker presides; (b) in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker presides; and
(2) The leader of the majority party shall be the person who is the leader in the National Assembly of the largest party or coalition of parties. (3) The leader of the minority party shall be the person who is the leader in the National Assembly of the second largest party or coalition of parties.
Part 4 - Procedures for Enacting Legislation 109. (1) Parliament shall exercise its legislative power through Bills passed by Parliament and assented to by the President.
(3) A Bill not concerning county government is considered only in the National Assembly, and passed in accordance with Article 122 and the Standing Orders of the Assembly. (4) A Bill concerning county government may originate in the National Assembly or the Senate, and is passed in accordance with Articles 110 to 113, Articles 122 and 123 and the Standing Orders of the Houses. (5) A Bill may be introduced by any member or committee of the relevant House of Parliament, but a money Bill may be introduced only in the National Assembly in accordance with Article 114.
110. (1) In this Constitution, “a Bill concerning county government” means––
(2) A Bill concerning county governments is–– (a) a special Bill, which shall be considered under Article 111, if it––
(ii) is the annual County Allocation of Revenue Bill men­tioned in Article 218; or
111. (1) A special Bill concerning a county government shall proceed in the same manner as an ordinary Bill concerning county government, subject to clauses (2) and (3).
112. (1) If one House passes an ordinary Bill concerning counties, and the second House–
114. (1) A money Bill may not deal with any matter other than those listed in the definition of “ a money Bill” in clause (3).
(2) If, in the opinion of the Speaker of the National Assembly, a motion makes provision for a matter mentioned in the definition of “a money Bill”, the Assembly may proceed only in accordance with the recommendation of the relevant Committee of the Assembly after taking into account the views of the Cabinet Secretary responsible for finance. (3) In this Constitution, “a money Bill” means a Bill, other than a Bill specified in Article 218, that contains provisions dealing with—
115. (1) Within fourteen days after receipt of a Bill, the President shall—
116. (1) A Bill passed by Parliament and assented to by the President shall be published in the Gazette as an Act of Parliament within seven days after assent. (2) Subject to clause (3), an Act of Parliament comes into force on the fourteenth day after its publication in the Gazette, unless the Act stipulates a different date on or time at which it will come into force.
Part 5 - Parliament’s General Procedures and Rules See International Law
Retrieved from "http://defensewiki.ibj.org/index.php?title=THE_CONSTITUTION_OF_THE_REPUBLIC_OF_KENYA&oldid=7287"
This page was last modified on 18 November 2010, at 11:12.