When President William Ruto delivered his State of the Nation Address at the Parliament plenary, Nairobi on Nov 21, 2024 .[File.]
Sixteen years after Kenya promulgated the 2010 Constitution, lawyers, faith leaders and professionals have challenged Kenyans to move beyond celebrating the country’s supreme law and take an active role in protecting, implementing and holding institutions accountable to it.
The call was made yesterday at Ufungamano House during Katiba Day 2026, organised by the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF) and partner organisations under the theme, “Article 1:1 – From Blaming to Active Participation.” The forum brought together professionals and religious leaders for discussions, constitutional audits and reflections on governance, devolution, electoral integrity and citizen participation.
Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama said the most important feature of the 2010 Constitution is that it begins with the people, rather than the President, Parliament or the Judiciary.
“All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya,” Kanjama said, drawing attention to Article 1 and the Constitution’s recognition of citizens as the ultimate holders of sovereign power.
He challenged Kenyans to stop viewing leadership purely through political positions and instead recognise that constitutional leadership begins with individual citizens.
“Leadership does not start with positions, nor does it end with positions. It starts with the individual and the relationships that we have,” he said.
Kanjama also traced Kenya’s constitutional history from independence, noting how the independence Constitution was repeatedly amended, eventually becoming substantially different from the document negotiated before independence.