Kenya

Constitution of the Republic of Kenya 2010

Obligations of the State

English

We, the people of Kenya - …
RECOGNISING the aspirations of all Kenyans for a government based on the essential values of human rights, equality, freedom, democracy, social justice and the rule of law:
… (Preamble)
Swahili

Sisi, wananchi wa Kenya - …
KWA KUTAMBUA matamanio ya Wakenya wote kuwa na serikali iliyojengwa katika tunu muhimu za haki za binadamu, usawa, uhuru, demokrasia, haki ya kijamii na utawala wa sheria:
... (Utangulizi)

Obligations of the State

English

(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
(c) makes or implements public policy decisions.
(2) The national values and principles of governance include—
…
(b) human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination and protection of the marginalised;
… (Art. 10)
Swahili

(1) Tunu za kitaifa na kanuni za utawala katika Kifungu hiki huvifunga vyombo vyote vya Serikali, maafisa wa Serikali, watumishi wa umma na watu wote wakati wowote pale ambapo yeyote kati ya hao-
(a) anatumia au kufafanua Katiba hii;
(b) anatunga, anatumia au anafafanua sheria yoyote; au
(c) anafanya au kutekeleza maamuzi ya sera ya umma.
(2) Tunu za kitaifa na kanuni za utawala ni pamoja na—
…
(b) utu wa binadamu, haki, haki ya kijamii, umoja, usawa, haki za binadamu, kutokuwa na ubaguzi na ulinzi kwa waliotengwa na jamii;
… (Kifungu cha 10)

Obligations of the State

English

(1) The Bill of Rights is an integral part of Kenya’s democratic state and is the framework for social, economic and cultural policies.
(2) The purpose of recognising and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms is to preserve the dignity of individuals and communities and to promote social justice and the realisation of the potential of all human beings.
(3) The rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights—
(a) belong to each individual and are not granted by the State;
(b) do not exclude other rights and fundamental freedoms not in the Bill of Rights, but recognised or conferred by law, except to the extent that they are inconsistent with this Chapter; and
(c) are subject only to the limitations contemplated in this Constitution. (Art. 19)
Swahili

(1) Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu ni sehemu muhimu ya serikali ya kidemokrasia ya Kenya na ni mwongozo wa sera za kijamii, kiuchumi na kiutamaduni.
(2) Madhumuni ya kutambua na kulinda haki za binadamu na uhuru wa msingi ni kulinda utu wa watu na jamii na kukuza haki ya kijamii na kuthamini umuhimu wa binadamu wote.
(3) Haki na uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu-
(a) ni ya kila mtu na haitolewi na Serikali;
(b) haiondoi haki nyinginezo na uhuru wa msingi ambao haupo kwenye Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu, lakini hutambuliwa au hutolewa na sheria, isipokuwa kwa kiwango ambacho zipo kinyume cha Sura hii; na
(c) huzingatia tu mipaka iliyobainishwa katika Katiba hii. (Kifungu cha 19)

Obligations of the State

English

(1) The Bill of Rights applies to all law and binds all State organs and all persons.
(2) Every person shall enjoy the rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights to the greatest extent consistent with the nature of the right or fundamental freedom.
… (Art. 20)
Swahili

(1) Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu inahusu sheria zote na huvifunga vyombo vyote vya Serikali na watu wote.
(2) Kila mtu atanufaika na haki na uhuru wa msingi ulipo katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu kwa kiwango kikubwa kabisa sawasawa na asili ya haki yenyewe au uhuru wa msingi.
… (Kifungu cha 20)

Obligations of the State

English

(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. (Art. 21)
Swahili

(1) Ni jukumu la msingi la Serikali na kila chombo cha Serikali kuzingatia, kuheshimu, kulinda, kuhamasisha na kutimiza haki na uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu.
(2) Serikali itachukua hatua za kisheria, kisera na hatua nyinginezo, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuweka viwango, ili kufikia utekelezaji endelevu wa haki zilizohakikishwa chini ya Kifungu cha 43.
(3) Vyombo vyote vya Serikali na watumishi wa umma wana wajibu wa kushughulikia mahitaji ya makundi yaliyopo katika mazingira hatarishi katika jamii, ikiwa ni pamoja na wanawake, wazee, watu wenye ulemavu, watoto, vijana, wanajamii wenye uwakilishi mdogo katika jamii au watu waliotengwa na jamii, na watu wa jamii ya kabila, dini au utamaduni fulani.
(4) Serikali itatunga na kutekeleza sheria ili itimize majukumu yake ya kimataifa kuhusu haki za binadamu na uhuru wa msingi. (Kifungu cha 21)

Obligations of the State

English

(1) This Constitution shall be interpreted in a manner that—
...
(b) advances the rule of law, and the human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights;
... (Art. 259)
Swahili

(1) Katiba hii itafafanuliwa kwa namna ambayo—
...
(b) huimarisha utawala wa sheria, na haki za binadamu na uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu;
... (Kifungu cha 259)

Obligations of Private Parties

English

(1) The Bill of Rights applies to all law and binds all State organs and all persons.
… (Art. 20)
Swahili

(1) Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu inahusu sheria zote na huvifunga vyombo vyote vya Serikali na watu wote.
… (Kifungu cha 20)

Judicial Protection

English

...
(3) In applying a provision of the Bill of Rights, a court shall—
(a) develop the law to the extent that it does not give effect to a right or fundamental freedom; and
(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—
(a) the values that underlie an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality, equity and freedom; and
(b) the spirit, purport and objects of the Bill of Rights.
(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—
(a) it is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available;
(b) in allocating resources, the State shall give priority to ensuring the widest possible enjoyment of the right or fundamental freedom having regard to prevailing circumstances, including the vulnerability of particular groups or individuals; and
(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. (Art. 20)
Swahili

...
(3) Katika kutumia Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu, mahakama—
(a) itaidadafua sheria kwa kiwango ambacho hakitoi taathira kwenye haki au uhuru wa msingi; na
(b) itatumia tafsiri ambayo inaimarisha zaidi haki au uhuru wa msingi.
(4) Katika kufasiri Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu, mahakama, baraza au mamlaka nyingineyo itaimarisha—
(a) tunu ambazo zinajenga jamii ya wazi na ya kidemokrasia kwa msingi wa utu wa binadamu, usawa, haki na uhuru; na
(b) kusudi, dhamira na, malengo ya Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu.
(5) Katika kutumia haki yoyote chini ya Kifungu cha 43, ikiwa Serikali inadai kuwa haina rasilimali ya kutekeleza haki hiyo, mahakama, baraza au mamlaka nyingineyo itaongozwa na kanuni zifuatazo—
(a) ni jukumu la Serikali kuonyesha kwamba hakuna rasilimali;
(b) katika kugawanya rasilimali, Serikali itatoa kipaumbele katika kuhakikisha kuna unufaikaji mkubwa kadri iwezekanavyo wa haki na uhuru wa msingi baada ya kuzingatia mazingira yaliyopo, ikiwa ni pamoja na mazingira hatarishi ya makundi au watu fulani; na
(c) mahakama, baraza au mamlaka nyingineyo haitaweza kuingilia maamuzi yaliyotolewa na chombo cha Serikali kuhusu mgawanyo wa rasilimali zilizopo, kwa msingi tu kwamba kungekuwa na hitimisho tofauti. (Kifungu cha 20)

Judicial Protection

English

(1) Every person has the right to institute court proceedings claiming that a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated or infringed, or is threatened.
(2) In addition to a person acting in their own interest, court proceedings under clause (1) may be instituted by—
(a) a person acting on behalf of another person who cannot act in their own name;
(b) a person acting as a member of, or in the interest of, a group or class of persons;
(c) a person acting in the public interest; or
(d) an association acting in the interest of one or more of its members.
… (Art. 22)
Swahili

(1) Kila mtu ana haki ya kufungua kesi mahakamani akidai kwamba haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu haikutolewa, imekiukwa au imevunjwa, au imetishiwa.
(2) Pamoja na mtu kufanya kwa maslahi yake binafsi, kesi za mahakamani chini ya ibara ya (1) zinaweza kufunguliwa na-
(a) mtu anayechukua hatua kwa niaba ya mtu mwingine ambaye hawezi kuchukua hatua kwa jina lake;
(b) mtu anayechukua hatua kama mshiriki, au kwa maslahi ya kikundi au tabaka la watu;
(c) mtu anayechukua hatua kwa maslahi ya umma; au
(d) chama kinachochukua hatua kwa maslahi ya mwanachama wake mmoja au zaidi.
… (Kifungu cha 22)

Judicial Protection

English

(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.
(2) Parliament shall enact legislation to give original jurisdiction in appropriate cases to subordinate courts 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—
(a) a declaration of rights;
(b) an injunction;
(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;
(e) an order for compensation; and
(f) an order of judicial review. (Art. 23)
Swahili

(1) Mahakama Kuu ina mamlaka, kwa mujibu wa Kifungu cha 165, ya kusikia na kuamua maombi ya kutoa fidia ya kukataliwa, kukiuka au kuvunja, au kutishia, haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu.
(2) Bunge litatunga sheria ili kutoa mamlaka ya asili katika kesi stahiki ili kuiamuru mahakama kusikiliza na kuamua maombi ya kutoa fidia ya kukataliwa, kukiuka au kuvunja, au kutishia, haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu.
(3) Katika kesi yoyote iliyofunguliwa chini ya Kifungu cha 22, mahakama inaweza kutoa unafuu stahiki, ikiwa ni pamoja na—
(a) kutangaza haki;
(b) kutoa amri ya kisheria;
(c) amri ya kuhifadhi;
(d) tamko la kuharamisha sheria yoyote ambayo inanyima, inakiuka, inavunja, au inatishia haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu na haijathibitishwa chini ya kifungu cha 24;
(e) amri ya kutoa fidia; na
(f) amri ya kufanya mapitio ya sheria. (Kifungu cha 23)

Judicial Protection

English

…
(3) Subject to clause (5), the High Court shall have—
…
(b) jurisdiction to determine the question whether a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated, infringed or threatened;
… (Art. 165)
Swahili

…
(3) Kwa kuzingatia ibara ya (5), Mahakama Kuu itakuwa na—
…
(b) mamlaka ya kuamua shauri iwapo haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu haikutolewa, imekiukwa, imevunjwa au imetishiwa;
… (Kifungu cha 165)

National Human Rights Bodies

English

(1) There is established the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission.
(2) The functions of the Commission are—
(a) to promote respect for human rights and develop a culture of human rights in the Republic;
(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;
(f) on its own initiative or on the basis of complaints, to investigate or research a matter in respect of human rights, and make recommendations to improve the functioning of State organs;
(g) to act as the principal organ of the State in ensuring compliance with obligations under treaties and conventions relating to human rights;
…
(3) Every person has the right to complain to the Commission, alleging that a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated or infringed, or is threatened.
(4) Parliament shall enact legislation to give full effect to this Part, and any such legislation may restructure the Commission into two or more separate commissions.
… (Art. 59)
Swahili

(1) Kuna Tume ya Kitaifa ya Haki za Binadamu na Usawa ya Kenya.
(2) Kazi za Tume ni—
(a) kuimarisha heshima kwa haki za binadamu na kuendeleza utamaduni wa haki za binadamu katika Jamhuri;
(b) kuimarisha usawa wa kijinsia na haki kwa jumla na kuratibu na kuwezesha ujumuishaji wa masuala ya kijinsia katika maendeleo ya kitaifa;
(c) kuimarisha ulinzi, na uzingatiaji wa haki za binadamu katika taasisi za umma na binafsi;
(d) kufuatilia, kuchunguza na kutoa taarifa juu ya uzingatiaji wa haki za binadamu katika nyanja zote za maisha katika Jamhuri, ikiwa ni pamoja na vyombo vya usalama vya kitaifa kuzingatia;
(e) kupokea na kuchunguza malalamiko kuhusu tuhuma za ukiukaji wa haki za binadamu na kuchukua hatua za kutoa fidia stahiki pale ambapo haki za binadamu zimekiukwa;
(f) kwa jitihada zake yenyewe au kwa msingi wa malalamiko, kuchunguza au kutafiti jambo kuhusu haki za binadamu, na kutoa mapendekezo ya kuboresha utendaji kazi wa vyombo vya Serikali;
(g) kufanya kazi kama chombo kikuu cha Serikali katika kuhakikisha uzingatiaji wa majukumu chini ya makubaliano na mikataba inayohusiana na haki za binadamu;
…
(3) Kila mtu ana haki ya kulalamika mbele ya Tume, akidai kuwa haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu imenyimwa, imekiukwa au kuvunjwa, au imetishiwa.
(4) Bunge litatunga sheria kuwezesha utekelezaji kamili wa Sehemu hii, na sheria yoyote ya namna hiyo inaweza kuiunda upya tume na kuwa tume tofauti mbili au zaidi.
… (Kifungu cha 59)

National Human Rights Bodies

English

…
(11) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of a commission⁶ shall not be of the same gender.
… (Art. 250)
Swahili

…
(11) Mwenyeketi na makamu mwenyekiti wa tume hawatakuwa wa jinsia moja.
… (Kifungu cha 250)

Constitution of the Republic of Kenya 2010 (English). According to Art. 7: "… 2. The official languages of the Republic are Kiswahili and English. …"

Constitution of the Republic of Kenya 2010 (Swahili). UN Women in-house translation (2020).

Links to all sites last visited 14 February 2024

According to Art. 260: “‘Affirmative action’ includes any measure designed to overcome or ameliorate an inequity or the systemic denial or infringement of a right or fundamental freedom;...”.

According to Art. 248: “(2) The commissions are— (a) the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission; (b) the National Land Commission; (c) the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission; (d) the Parliamentary Service Commission; (e) the Judicial Service Commission; (f) the Commission on Revenue Allocation; (g) the Public Service Commission; (h) the Salaries and Remuneration Commission; (i) the Teachers Service Commission; and (j) the National Police Service Commission.”

According to Art. 260: “‘Affirmative action’ includes any measure designed to overcome or ameliorate an inequity or the systemic denial or infringement of a right or fundamental freedom;...”.

Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.

According to Art. 260: “‘Affirmative action’ includes any measure designed to overcome or ameliorate an inequity or the systemic denial or infringement of a right or fundamental freedom;...”.

Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.