Kenya

Constitution of the Republic of Kenya 2010

Limitations and/or Derogations

English

...
(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

...
(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 na Sura hii; na
(c) huzingatia tu mipaka iliyobainishwa katika Katiba hii. (Kifungu cha 19)

Limitations and/or Derogations

English

(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—
(a) the nature of the right or fundamental freedom;
(b) the importance of the purpose of the limitation;
(c) the nature and extent of the limitation;
(d) the need to ensure that the enjoyment of rights and fundamental freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and fundamental freedoms of others; and
(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—
(a) in the case of a provision enacted or amended on or after the effective date, is not valid unless the legislation specifically expresses the intention to limit that right or fundamental freedom, and the nature and extent of the limitation;
(b) shall not be construed as limiting the right or fundamental freedom unless the provision is clear and specific about the right or freedom to be limited and the nature and extent of the limitation; and
(c) shall not limit the right or fundamental freedom so far as to derogate from its core or essential content.
(3) The State or a person seeking to justify a particular limitation shall demonstrate to the court, tribunal or other authority that the requirements of this Article have been satisfied.
(4) The provisions of this Chapter on equality shall be qualified to the extent strictly necessary for the application of Muslim law before the Kadhis’ courts, to persons who profess the Muslim religion, in matters relating to personal status, marriage, divorce and inheritance.
… (Art. 24)
Swahili

(1) Haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu haitakuwa na mpaka isipokuwa kwa sheria, na tena kwa kiwango ambacho mpaka huo una mantiki na unathibitika kwenye jamii ya uwazi na ya kidemokrasia kwa msingi wa utu wa binadamu, usawa na uhuru, kwa kuzingatia mambo yote muhimu ikiwa ni pamoja na—
(a) asili ya uhuru au haki ya msingi;
(b) umuhimu wa madhumuni ya mpaka huo;
(c) asili na kiwango cha mpaka huo;
(d) hitaji la kuhakikisha kuwa unufaikaji wa uhuru wa msingi na haki kwa mtu yeyote hauathiri uhuru wa msingi na haki ya watu wengine; na
(e) uhusiano kati ya mpaka na madhumuni yake na ikiwa kuna njia zenye ugumu kidogo za kufikia kusudi hilo.
(2) Licha ya ibara ya (1), kifungu katika sheria kinachozuia haki au uhuru wa msingi-
(a) ikiwa kuna sheria iliyotungwa au kufanyiwa marekebisho tarehe hiyo au baada ya tarehe ya utekelezaji, si halali isipokuwa sheria hiyo ielezee kwa umahususi kusudi la kuwekea mipaka haki hiyo au uhuru wa msingi na asili na kiwango cha mpaka huo;
(b) haitachukuliwa kuwa inaiwekea mpaka haki au uhuru wa msingi kama sheria hiyo haiko dhahiri na mahususi kuhusu uhuru wa msingi na haki ambayo itawekewa mipaka na asili na kiwango cha mpaka huo; na
(c) haitawekea mipaka haki au uhuru wa msingi hadi kufikia kiwango cha kupunguza kwenye maudhui yake ya msingi au muhimu.
(3) Serikali au mtu anayetafuta kuhalalisha mpaka fulani ataielezea mahakama, baraza au mamlaka nyingineyo kwamba matakwa ya Kifungu hiki yamekamilishwa.
(4) Sheria za Sura hii juu ya usawa zitahalalishwa kwa kiwango ambacho ni lazima kabisa kutumia sharia ya Kiislamu mbele ya mahakama za Kadhi, kwa watu ambao ni waumini wa dini ya Kiisilamu, katika maswala yanayohusu hadhi ya binafsi, ndoa, talaka na urithi.
… (Kifungu cha 24)

Limitations and/or Derogations

English

Despite any other provision in this Constitution, the following rights and fundamental freedoms shall not be limited—
(a) freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
(b) freedom from slavery or servitude;
(c) the right to a fair trial; and
(d) the right to an order of habeas corpus. (Art. 25)
Swahili

Licha ya sheria nyingineyo yoyote katika Katiba hii, uhuru wa msingi na haki zifuatazo hazitawekewa mipaka-
(a) uhuru dhidi ya kuteswa na ukatili, unyanyasaji au udhalilishaji au adhabu;
(b) uhuru dhidi ya utumwa au kutumikishwa;
(c) haki ya kushtakiwa kwa haki; na
(d) haki ya amri ya kumfikisha mfungwa kortini. (Kifungu cha 25)

Limitations and/or Derogations

English

...
(6) Any legislation enacted in consequence of a declaration of a state of emergency—
(a) may limit a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights only to the extent that—
(i) the limitation is strictly required by the emergency; and
(ii) the legislation is consistent with the Republic’s obligations under international law applicable to a state of emergency; and
(b) shall not take effect until it is published in the Gazette.
… (Art. 58)
Swahili

...
(6) Sheria yoyote iliyotungwa kwa sababu ya tangazo la hali ya dharura-
(a) inaweza kuwekea mpaka haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu ni kwa kiwango ambacho tu-
(i) mpaka huo unahitajika kabisa na dharura hiyo; na
(ii) sheria hiyo inaoana na majukumu ya Jamhuri chini ya sheria za kimataifa zinazotumika kwa hali ya dharura; na
(b) haitaanza kutekelezwa hadi itakapochapishwa kwenye gazeti la serikali.
… (Kifungu cha 58)

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.