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)
1

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

2

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

Links to all sites last visited 14 February 2024
3
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;...”.
4
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.”
5
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;...”.
6
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.”
7
Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.
8
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;...”.
9
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.”
10
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;...”.
11
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.”
12
Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.
13
Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights.