WANJAWA: We, the people, have failed the constitution
An opinion piece argues that Kenya's 2010 Constitution has not failed the people, but rather that the citizens have failed to uphold its principles. The author calls for greater civic agency to combat corruption and patronage.
Why it matters
It reflects a critical discourse on democratic health and the responsibility of the electorate in maintaining institutional integrity.
Sixteen years after Kenyans overwhelmingly gave themselves a new constitution, there is much to celebrate—but even more to interrogate.
The 2010 Constitution was born of hope. It promised a decisive break with authoritarianism, exclusion, corruption and the concentration of power.
It gave us a robust Bill of Rights, devolution, independent institutions, public participation, gender inclusion and a framework for accountable leadership.
Yet the verdict at Katiba@16 is complicated. The two-thirds gender principle remains unfulfilled. The independence of institutions is contested.
Parliament's oversight role is questioned. Civic freedoms face pressure, while corruption, weak accountability and elite capture continue to undermine the promise of devolution.
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