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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Status of the Constitution
Kenya, English
(1) This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic and binds all persons and all State organs at both levels of government.
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(4) Any law, including customary law, that is inconsistent with this Constitution is void to the extent of the inconsistency, and any act or omission in contravention of this Constitution is invalid.
... (Art. 2)
Kenya, Swahili
(1) Katiba hii ni sheria kuu ya Jamhuri na inawafunga watu wote na vyombo vyote vya Serikali katika ngazi zote mbili za serikali.
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(4) Sheria yoyote, pamoja na sheria ya kijadi, ambayo inapingana na Katiba hii ni batili kwa kiwango cha kupingana, na kitendo chochote au uondoaji unaovunja Katiba hii ni batili.
... (Kifungu cha 2)
Status of the Constitution
Kenya, English
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(3) Traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall not be used in a way that—
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(c) is inconsistent with this Constitution or any written law. (Art. 159)
Kenya, Swahili
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(3) Njia za kijadi za utatuzi wa migogoro hazitatumika kwa njia ambayo—
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(c) zinapingana na Katiba hii au sheria yoyote iliyoandikwa. (Kifungu cha 159)
Customary Law
Kenya, English
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(4) Parliament shall enact legislation that recognises—
(a) marriages concluded under any tradition, or system of religious, personal or family law; and
(b) any system of personal and family law under any tradition, or adhered to by persons professing a particular religion,
to the extent that any such marriages or systems of law are consistent with this Constitution. (Art. 45)
Kenya, Swahili
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(4) Bunge litatunga sheria inayotambua-
(a) ndoa zilizofungwa chini ya utamaduni wowote, au mfumo wa sheria za kidini, za binafsi au za familia; na
(b) mfumo wowote wa sheria binafsi au familia chini ya utamaduni wowote, au inazingatiwa na watu ambao ni waumini wa dini fulani,
kwa kiwango kwamba ndoa yoyote ya namna hiyo au mifumo ya sheria haipingani na Katiba hii. (Kifungu cha 45)
Customary Law
Kenya, English
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(4) Any law, including customary law, that is inconsistent with this Constitution is void to the extent of the inconsistency, and any act or omission in contravention of this Constitution is invalid.
… (Art. 2)
Kenya, Swahili
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(4) Sheria yoyote, pamoja na sheria ya kijadi, ambayo inapingana na Katiba hii ni batili kwa kiwango cha kupingana, na kitendo chochote au uondoaji unaovunja Katiba hii ni batili.
… (Kifungu cha 2)
Customary Law
Kenya, English
(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—
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(f) elimination of gender discrimination in law, customs and practices related to land and property in land;
… (Art. 60)
Kenya, Swahili
(1) Ardhi nchini Kenya itashikiliwa, kutumiwa na kusimamiwa kwa njia ambayo ni yenye usawa, fanisi, yenye tija na endelevu, na kwa kufuata kanuni zifuatazo-
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(f) uondoaji wa ubaguzi wa kijinsia katika sheria, mila na desturi zinazohusiana na ardhi na mali katika ardhi;
… (Kifungu cha 60)
Customary Law
Kenya, English
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(2) In exercising judicial authority, the courts and tribunals shall be guided by the following principles—
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(c) alternative forms of dispute resolution including reconciliation, mediation, arbitration and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall be promoted, subject to clause (3);
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(3) Traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall not be used in a way that—
(a) contravenes the Bill of Rights;
(b) is repugnant to justice and morality or results in outcomes that are repugnant to justice or morality; or
(c) is inconsistent with this Constitution or any written law. (Art. 159)
Kenya, Swahili
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(2) Katika kutumia mamlaka ya mahakama, mahakama na mabaraza yataongozwa na kanuni zifuatazo-
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(c) njia mbadala za utatuzi wa mgogoro ikiwa ni pamoja na maridhiano, upatanishi, usuluhishi na njia za kijadi za utatuzi wa mgogoro zitahamasishwa, kwa kuzingatia ibara ya (3) ;
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(3) Njia za kijadi za utatuzi wa mgogoro hazitatumika kwa njia ambayo—
(a) inakiuka Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu;
(b) inakinzana na haki na maadili au husababisha matokeo ambayo yanakinzana na haki au maadili; au
(c) ni kinyume cha Katiba hii au sheria yoyote iliyoandikwa. (Kifungu cha 159)
Religious Law
Kenya, English
We, the people of Kenya -
ACKNOWLEDGING the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation:
… (Preamble)
Kenya, Swahili
Sisi, watu wa Kenya -
TUKIKIRI ukuu wa Mungu Mwenyezi muumbaji wa viumbe vyote:
… (Utangulizi)
Religious Law
Kenya, English
There shall be no State religion. (Art. 8)
Kenya, Swahili
Hakutakuwa na dini ya serikali. (Kifungu cha 8)
Religious Law
Kenya, English
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(4) Parliament shall enact legislation that recognises—
(a) marriages concluded under any tradition, or system of religious, personal or family law; and
(b) any system of personal and family law under any tradition, or adhered to by persons professing a particular religion,
to the extent that any such marriages or systems of law are consistent with this Constitution. (Art. 45)
Kenya, Swahili
...
(4) Bunge litatunga sheria inayotambua-
(a) ndoa zilizofungwa chini ya utamaduni wowote, au mfumo wa sheria za kidini, za binafsi au za familia; na
(b) mfumo wowote wa sheria binafsi au familia chini ya utamaduni wowote, au inazingatiwa na watu ambao ni waumini wa dini fulani,
kwa kiwango kwamba ndoa yoyote ya namna hiyo au mifumo ya sheria haipingani na Katiba hii. (Kifungu cha 45)
Religious Law
Kenya, English
(1) There shall be a Chief Kadhi and such number, being not fewer than three, of other Kadhis as may be prescribed under an Act of Parliament.
(2) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to hold or act in the office of Kadhi unless the person—
(a) professes the Muslim religion; and
(b) possesses such knowledge of the Muslim law applicable to any sects of Muslims as qualifies the person, in the opinion of the Judicial Service Commission, to hold a Kadhi’s court.
(3) Parliament shall establish Kadhis’ courts, each of which shall have the jurisdiction and powers conferred on it by legislation, subject to clause (5).
(4) The Chief Kadhi and the other Kadhis, or the Chief Kadhi and such of the other Kadhis (not being fewer than three in number) as may be prescribed under an Act of Parliament, shall each be empowered to hold a Kadhi’s court having jurisdiction within Kenya.
(5) The jurisdiction of a Kadhis’ court shall be limited to the determination of questions of Muslim law relating to personal status, marriage, divorce or inheritance in proceedings in which all the parties profess the Muslim religion and submit to the jurisdiction of the Kadhi’s courts. (Art. 170)
Kenya, Swahili
(1) Kutakuwa na Kadhi Mkuu na idadi hiyo, hiatakuwa chini ya Makadhi wengine watatu, kama inavyoweza kuamriwa chini ya Sheria ya Bunge.
(2) Mtu hatakuwa na sifa ya kuteuliwa kushikilia au kufanya kazi katika ofisi ya Kadhi isipokuwa mtu huyo—
(a) ni muumini wa dini ya Kiislamu; na
(b) anayo maarifa ya sheria ya Kiislamu inayotumika kwa madhehebu yoyote ya Waislamu yanayompa sifa mtu huyo, kwa maoni ya Tume ya Huduma ya Mahakama, ya kushikilia mahakama ya Kadhi.
(3) Bunge litaunda mahakama za Kadhi, ambazo kila moja itakuwa na mamlaka na madaraka yatakayotolewa na sheria, kwa mujibu wa ibara ya (5).
(4) Kadhi Mkuu na Makadhi wengineo, au Kadhi Mkuu na baadhi ya Makadhi wengine (hawatakuwa chini ya idadi ya watu watatu) kama inavyoweza kuamriwa chini ya Sheria ya Bunge, kila mmoja atawezeshwa kushikilia mahakama ya Kadhi yenye mamlaka ndani ya Kenya.
(5) Mamlaka ya Mahakama ya Kadhi yatakuwa na mipaka itakayoishia katika kuamua shauri la sheria ya Kiisilamu inayohusiana na hadhi binafsi, ndoa, talaka au urithi katika kesi ambazo kwazo pande zote ni waumini wa dini ya Kiislamu na wanaitii mamlaka ya mahakama za Kadhi. (Kifungu cha 170)