General Provisions

English

(1)Every person has the right to institute court proceedings, claiming that this Constitution has been contravened, or is threatened with contravention.

(2)In addition to a person acting in their own interest, court proceedings under clause (1) may be instituted by—

(a)a person acting on behalf of another person who cannot act in their own name;

(b)a person acting as a member of, or in the interest of, a group or class of persons;

(c)a person acting in the public interest; or

(d)an association acting in the interest of one or more of its members.

Kiswahili

Utekelezaji wa Katiba Hii

(1)Kila mtu ana haki ya kuwasilisha kesi mahakamani, akidai kuwa Katiba hii imekiukwa, au kuna tishio la kuikiuka.

(2)Zaidi ya mtu anayewasilisha kesi kwa maslahi yake mwenyewe, kesi mahakamani chini ya ibara ya (1) inaweza kuwasilishwa na—

(a)mtu anayewasilisha kesi kwa niaba ya mtu mwingine ambaye hawezi kuwasilisha kesi kwa jina lake mwenyewe;

(b)mtu anayewasilisha kesi kwa niaba ya, au kama mwanachama wa kikundi au tabaka la watu;

(c)mtu anayewasilisha kesi kwa manufaa ya umma; au

(d)shirika linalowasilisha kesi kwa manufaa ya mwanachama mmoja au zaidi.

English

(1)This Constitution shall be interpreted in a manner that—

(a)promotes its purposes, values and principles;

(b)advances the rule of law, and the human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights;

(c)permits the development of the law; and

(d)contributes to good governance.

(2)If there is a conflict between different language versions of this Constitution, the English language version prevails.

(3)Every provision of this Constitution shall be construed according to the doctrine of interpretation that the law is always speaking and, therefore, among other things—

(a)a function or power conferred by this Constitution on an office may be performed or exercised as occasion requires, by the person holding the office;

(b)any reference in this Constitution to a State or other public office or officer, or a person holding such an office, includes a reference to the person acting in or otherwise performing the functions of the office at any particular time;

(c)a reference in this Constitution to an office, State organ or locality named in this Constitution shall be read with any formal alteration necessary to make it applicable in the circumstances; and

(d)a reference in this Constitution to an office, body or organisation is, if the office, body or organisation has ceased to exist, a reference to its successor or to the equivalent office, body or organisation.

(4)In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires—

(a)if a word or expression is defined in this Constitution, any grammatical variation or cognate expression of the word or expression has a corresponding meaning, read with the changes required by the context; and

(b)the word “includes” means “includes, but is not limited to”.

(5)In calculating time between two events for any purpose under this Constitution, if the time is expressed—

(a)as days, the day on which the first event occurs shall be excluded, and the day by which the last event may occur shall be included;

(b)as months, the time period ends at the beginning of the day in the relevant month—

(i)that has the same number as the date on which the period began, if that month has a corresponding date; or

(ii)that is the last day of that month, in any other case; or

(c)as years, the period of time ends at the beginning of the date of the relevant year that corresponds to the date on which the period began.

(6)If a period of time prescribed by this Constitution for any purpose is six days or less, Sundays and public holidays shall not count when calculating the time.

(7)If, in any particular circumstances, the period of time prescribed by this Constitution ends on a Sunday or a public holiday, the period extends to the first subsequent day that is not a Sunday or public holiday.

(8)If a particular time is not prescribed by this Constitution for performing a required act, the act shall be done without unreasonable delay, and as often as occasion arises.

(9)If any person or State organ has authority under this Constitution to extend a period of time prescribed by this Constitution, the authority may be exercised either before or after the end of the period, unless a contrary intention is expressly specified in the provision conferring the authority.

(10)Except to the extent that this Constitution provides otherwise, if a person has vacated an office established under this Constitution, the person may, if qualified, again be appointed, elected or otherwise selected to hold the office in accordance with this Constitution.

(11)If a function or power conferred on a person under this Constitution is exercisable by the person only on the advice or recommendation, with the approval or consent of, or on consultation with, another person, the function may be performed or the power exercised only on that advice, recommendation, with that approval or consent, or after that consultation, except to the extent that this Constitution provides otherwise.

Kiswahili

Kufasiri Katiba Hii

(1)Katiba hii itafasiriwa kwa namna ambayo—

(a)inakuza malengo, maadili na kanuni zake;

(b)inaendeleza utawala wa sheria, haki za binadamu na uhuru wa kimsingi katika Sheria za Haki;

(c)inaruhusu kuendelea kwa sheria; na

(d)inachangia katika utawala bora.

(2)Ikiwa kuna mgongano kati ya matoleo ya Katiba hii katika lugha tofauti, toleo la lugha ya Kiingereza ndilo litakalotawala.

(3)Kila kifungu katika Katiba hii litafasiriwa kulingana na kanuni ya ufasiri kwamba sheria inazungumza kila mara, na kwa hivyo, kati ya masuala mengine—

(a)jukumu au mamlaka yaliyotolewa na Katiba hii kwa ofisi yanaweza kutekelezwa na mtu anayehudumu katika ofisi hiyo kulingana na hitaji;

(b)rejeleo lolote katika Katiba hii kwa Serikali au ofisi nyingine ya umma au afisa, au mtu anayehudumu katika ofisi hiyo ni rejeleo kwa mtu anayehudumu katika ofisi hiyo kwa muda au anayetekeleza majukumu ya ofisi hiyo kwa wakati wowote ule;

(c)rejeleo katika Katiba hii kwa ofisi, kitengo cha Serikali au eneo lililotajwa katika Katiba hii litasomwa kwa kuzingatia badiliko lolote rasmi linalohitajika ili liweze kutumika katika hali hizo; na

(d)rejeleo katika Katiba hii kwa ofisi au shirika, ikiwa ofisi au shirika hilo halipo tena, ni rejeleo kwa ofisi au shirika lililorithi, au ofisi au shirika sawa na lile ambalo halipo tena.

(4)Katika Katiba hii, isipokuwa pale ambapo muktadha unahitaji vinginevyo—

(a)iwapo neno au maelezo yamefafanuliwa katika Katiba hii, tofauti zozote za kisarufi au za kimatumizi ya neno linalohusiana na jingine, soma ukizingatia mabadiliko yanayotokana na muktadha; na

(b)neno “ikijumuisha” linamaanisha “ikijumuisha, lakini bila kudhibiti”.

(5)Katika kuhesabu muda uliopita kati ya matukio mawili, kwa madhumuni yoyote chini ya Katiba hii, ikiwa muda huo umeelezwa—

(a)kama siku, basi siku ambayo tukio la kwanza linatokea haitahesabiwa, na siku ambayo tukio la mwisho linaweza kutokea itajumuishwa;

(b)kama miezi, kipindi cha muda uliowekwa unaisha mwanzoni mwa siku katika mwezi husika—

(i)ambayo ina nambari sawa kama tarehe ambayo kipindi hicho kilianza, ikiwa mwezi huo una tarehe inayolingana; au

(ii)ndiyo siku ya mwisho ya mwezi huo, katika hali yoyote nyingine; au

(c)kama miaka, kipindi cha muda huo kinamalizika mwanzoni mwa tarehe ya mwaka husika inayolingana na tarehe ambayo kipindi hicho kilianza.

(6)Ikiwa muda uliowekwa katika Katiba hii kwa madhumuni yoyote ni siku sita au chini yake, Jumapili na siku za mapumziko za kitaifa hazitahesabiwa muda huo unapohesabiwa.

(7)Ikiwa katika hali zozote maalum, kipindi cha muda kilichowekwa na Katiba hii kinakamilika siku ya Jumapili au siku ya mapumziko ya kitaifa, muda huo unaongezwa hadi siku inayofuata ambayo sio Jumapili au siku ya mapumziko ya kitaifa.

(8)Ikiwa muda fulani haujawekwa na Katiba hii katika utekelezaji wa kitendo fulani, kitendo hicho kitafanywa bila kuchelewa kusio na sababu za kuridhisha, na kulingana na itakavyohitajika mara kwa mara.

(9)Ikiwa mtu yeyote au kitengo cha Serikali kina mamlaka chini ya Katiba hii ya kuongeza kipindi cha muda uliowekwa na Katiba hii, mamlaka hayo yanaweza kutekelezwa kabla au baada ya mwisho wa kipindi hicho, isipokuwa pale ambapo nia tofauti imeelezewa wazi katika kifungu kinachotoa mamlaka hayo.

(10)Isipokuwa pale ambapo Katiba hii inaelezea vinginevyo, ikiwa mtu ameondoka katika ofisi iliyobuniwa chini ya Katiba hii, ikiwa mtu huyo anastahiki, anaweza kuteuliwa tena, kuchaguliwa au vinginevyo kuteuliwa ili kuhudumu katika ofisi hiyo kulingana na Katiba hii.

(11)Ikiwa jukumu au mamlaka yaliyotolewa kwa mtu chini ya Katiba hii yanaweza kutekelezwa na mtu huyo tu kupitia kwa ushauri au pendekezo, kupitia kwa idhini ya mtu mwingine au mashauriano na mtu mwingine, jukumu hilo linaweza kufanywa au mamlaka hayo kutekelezwa kupitia tu kwa ushauri huo, pendekezo, idhini au baada ya mashauriano hayo, isipokuwa kwa kiwango ambacho Katiba hii inatoa mwongozo vinginevyo.

English

In this Constitution, unless the context requires otherwise—

“adult” means an individual who has attained the age of eighteen years;

“affirmative action” includes any measure designed to overcome or ameliorate an inequity or the systemic denial or infringement of a right or fundamental freedom;

“child” means an individual who has not attained the age of eighteen years;

“contravene” includes fail to comply with;

“county legislation” means a law made by a county government or under authority conferred by a county Assembly;

“disability” includes any physical, sensory, mental, psychological or other impairment, condition or illness that has, or is perceived by significant sectors of the community to have, a substantial or long-term effect on an individual’s ability to carry out ordinary day-to-day activities;

“document” includes—

(a)any publication, or any matter written, expressed, or inscribed on any substance by means of letters, figures or marks, or by more than one of those means, that is intended to be used or may be used for the purpose of recording that matter; and

(b)electronic files;

“effective date” means the date that this Constitution came into force;

“fail” includes refuse;

“financial year” means the period of twelve months ending on the thirtieth day of June or other day prescribed by national legislation, but the initial financial year of any entity is the period of time from its coming into existence until the immediately following thirtieth day of June, or other day prescribed by national legislation;

“Gazette” means the Kenya Gazette published by authority of the national government, or a supplement to the Kenya Gazette;

“guarantee” means any absolute or conditional promise, commitment or undertaking by the national government to partially or completely re-pay any loan to a county government or any person;

“judicial officer” means a registrar, deputy registrar, magistrate, Kadhi or the presiding officer of a court established under Article 169 (1) (d);

“land” includes—

(a)the surface of the earth and the subsurface rock;

(b)any body of water on or under the surface;

(c)marine waters in the territorial sea and exclusive economic zone;

(d)natural resources completely contained on or under the surface; and

(e)the air space above the surface;

“legislation” includes—

(a)an Act of Parliament, or a law made under authority conferred by an Act of Parliament; or

(b)a law made by an assembly of a county government, or under authority conferred by such a law;

“loan” includes any form of borrowing, lending or deferred payment in respect of which money from a public fund may be used, or is required to be used, for payment or repayment;

“marginalised community” means—

(a)a community that, because of its relatively small population or for any other reason, has been unable to fully participate in the integrated social and economic life of Kenya as a whole;

(b)a traditional community that, out of a need or desire to preserve its unique culture and identity from assimilation, has remained outside the integrated social and economic life of Kenya as a whole;

(c)an indigenous community that has retained and maintained a traditional lifestyle and livelihood based on a hunter or gatherer economy; or

(d)pastoral persons and communities, whether they are—

(i)nomadic; or

(ii)a settled community that, because of its relative geographic isolation, has experienced only marginal participation in the integrated social and economic life of Kenya as a whole;

“marginalised group” means a group of people who, because of laws or practices before, on, or after the effective date, were or are disadvantaged by discrimination on one or more of the grounds in Article 27 (4);

“national legislation” means an Act of Parliament, or a law made under authority conferred by an Act of Parliament;

“natural resources” means the physical non-human factors and components, whether renewable or non-renewable, including—

(a)sunlight;

(b)surface and groundwater;

(c)forests, biodiversity and genetic resources; and

(d)rocks, minerals, fossil fuels and other sources of energy;

“older member of society” means a person who has attained the age of sixty years;

“person” includes a company, association or other body of persons whether incorporated or unincorporated;

“political party” means an association contemplated in Part 3 of Chapter Seven;

“property” includes any vested or contingent right to, or interest in or arising from—

(a)land, or permanent fixtures on, or improvements to, land;

(b)goods or personal property;

(c)intellectual property; or

(d)money, choses in action or negotiable instruments;

“public officer” means—

(a)any State officer; or

(b)any person, other that a State Officer, who holds a public office;

“public office” means an office in the national government, a county government or the public service, if the remuneration and benefits of the office are payable directly from the Consolidated Fund or directly out of money provided by Parliament;

“public service” means the collectivity of all individuals, other than State officers, performing a function within a State organ;

“Republic” means the Republic of Kenya;

“State”, when used as a noun, means the collectivity of offices, organs and other entities comprising the government of the Republic under this Constitution;

“State office” means any of the following offices—

(a)President;

(b)Deputy President;

(c)Cabinet Secretary;

(d)Member of Parliament;

(e)Judges and Magistrates;

(f)member of a commission to which Chapter Fifteen applies;

(g)holder of an independent office to which Chapter Fifteen applies;

(h)member of a county assembly, governor or deputy governor of a county, or other member of the executive committee of a county government;

(i)Attorney-General;

(j)Director of Public Prosecutions;

(k)Secretary to the Cabinet;

(l)Principal Secretary;

(m)Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces;

(n)commander of a service of the Kenya Defence Forces;

(o)Director-General of the National Intelligence Service;

(p)Inspector-General, and the Deputy Inspectors-General, of the National Police Service; or

(q)an office established and designated as a State office by national legislation;

“State officer” means a person holding a State office;

“State organ” means a commission, office, agency or other body established under this Constitution;

“writing” includes printing, photography, lithography, typewriting, Braille, and any other means of representing or reproducing words in a visible form; and “youth” means the collectivity of all individuals in the Republic who—

(a)have attained the age of eighteen years; but (b) have not attained the age of thirty-five years.

Kiswahili

Ufasiri

Katika Katiba hii, isipokuwa muktadha uhitaji vinginevyo—

“mtu mzima” inamaanisha mtu ambaye amefikisha umri wa miaka kumi na nane;

“hatua sawazishi” inajumuisha hatua yoyote inayolenga kuondoa hali isiyo na usawa au kunyimwa kwa haki au ukiukaji wa kimfumo wa haki na uhuru wa kimsingi; “mtoto” inamaanisha mtu ambaye hajatimiza umri wa miaka kumi na nane;

“kukiuka” inajumuisha kukosa kutimiza mahitaji yaliyowekwa;

“sheria ya kaunti” inamaanisha sheria iliyotungwa na serikali ya kaunti au chini ya mamlaka yaliyotolewa na Bunge la kaunti;

“ulemavu” inajumuisha ulemavu wowote wa kimwili, kihisia, kiakili, kisaikolojia au ulemavu wa aina nyingine, hali au ugonjwa ambao, au unaochukuliwa na sekta mahususi za kijamii kuwa na athari za muda mrefu kwa uwezo wa mtu wa kutekeleza majukumu yake ya kawaida ya kila siku; “hati” inajumuisha––

(a)chapisho lolote au suala lolote lililoandikwa, kuelezewa au kunakiliwa kwenye kitu chochote kwa kutumia herufi, michoro au alama au zaidi ya mojawapo ya njia hizo ambayo inakusudiwa kutumiwa au inaweza kutumiwa kwa madhumuni ya kurekodi suala hilo; na

(b)faili za kielektroniki;

“tarehe ya kuanza kutumika” inamaanisha tarehe ambayo Katiba hii ilianza kutumika;

“kosa” inajumuisha kukataa;

“mwaka wa kifedha” inamaanisha kipindi cha miezi kumi na miwili kinachomalizika katika siku ya thelathini ya mwezi wa Juni au siku nyingine iliyotolewa na sheria ya kitaifa, lakini mwaka wa kwanza wa kifedha wa shirika lolote ni kipindi kinachoanza wakati wa kubuniwa kwa shirika hilo hadi siku ya thelathini ya Juni ifuatayo, au siku yoyote ile itakayotolewa na sheria ya kitaifa;

“Gazeti” inamaanisha Gazeti Rasmi la Serikali linalochapishwa kutokana na kibali cha serikali ya kitaifa, au gazeti lingine linalochapishwa pamoja na Gazeti Rasmi la Kenya;

“udhamini” inamaanisha ahadi kamili au ahadi yenye masharti au kujitolea kwa serikali ya kitaifa katika ulipaji kamili au kwa kiasi wa mkopo wowote wa serikali ya kaunti au wa mtu yeyote;

“afisa wa mahakama” inamaanisha msajili, naibu wa msajili, hakimu, Kadhi au afisa msimamizi wa mahakama iliyoundwa chini ya Kifungu cha 169 (1)(d); “ardhi” inajumuisha—

(a)eneo la juu la dunia na miamba iliyo chini ya eneo hili;

(b)eneo lolote la maji juu au chini ya eneo la juu la dunia;

(c)maji ya bahari katika eneo la bahari lililo kwenye mipaka ya nchi na eneo la bahari ambalo ni la kiuchumi;

(d)mali-asili zilizopo ndani au chini ya eneo la juu la dunia; na

(e)eneo la anga juu ya eneo la juu la dunia; “sheria” inajumuisha––

(a)Sheria ya Bunge, au sheria iliyotungwa chini ya mamlaka yaliyotolewa na Sheria ya Bunge; au

(b)sheria iliyotungwa na bunge la serikali ya kaunti, au chini ya mamlaka yaliyotolewa na sheria kama hiyo;

“ mkopo” inajumuisha aina yoyote ya kukopa, kukopesha au malipo ya baadaye ambayo yanaweza kulipwa na fedha kutoka kwenye hazina ya umma, au ambayo yanahitajika kulipwa au kulipwa tena, kupitia fedha zilizo kwenye hazina ya umma;

“jamii iliyotengwa” inamaanisha—

(a)jamii ambayo kutokana na idadi ndogo ya watu wake, au kwa sababu nyingineyo, imeshindwa kushiriki kikamilifu katika shughuli za kijumla za maisha ya kijamii na kiuchumi ya Kenya;

(b)jamii ya kitamaduni, ambayo kutokana na hitaji au tamanio la kuhifadhi utamaduni wake wa na kuzuia utambulisho wake kupotea, imebakia nje ya shughuli za kijumla za maisha ya kijamii na kiuchumi ya Kenya;

(c)jamii ya kiasili ambayo imekuza na kudumisha maisha na mitindo ya kitamaduni inayojikita kwenye uchumi wa shughuli za usasi na ukusanyaji; au

(d)wafugaji au jamii za wafugaji, iwe ni—

(i)wa kuhamahama; au

(ii)jamii zinazoishi mahala pamoja na ambazo, kwa sababu ya kutengwa kijiografia, hazijashiriki kikamilifu katika shughuli za kijumla za maisha ya kijamii na kiuchumi ya Kenya;

“kikundi kilichotengwa” inamaanisha kikundi cha watu ambao, kutokana na sheria au hatua za kabla, wakati wa, au baada ya tarehe ya kuanza kutumika kwa Katiba hii, walikuwa wamebaguliwa katika mojawapo au zaidi ya misingi inayotajwa katika Kifungu cha 27 (4);

“sheria ya kitaifa” inamaanisha Sheria ya Bunge, au sheria inayotungwa chini ya mamlaka yaliyotolewa na Sheria ya Bunge; “mali-asili” inamaanisha vitu au hali za kimaumbile zisizo za kibinadamu, ziwe zinaweza kutumiwa tena au la, ikijumuisha-—

(a)mwanga wa jua;

(b)maji kwenye ardhi na chini ya ardhi;

(c)misitu, uanuwai wa kiasili na kinasaba; au

(d)miamba, madini, malighafi ya mafuta na kwingine ambako kawi inapatikana;

“mzee katika jamii” inamaanisha mtu ambaye amefikisha umri wa miaka sitini;

“mtu” inajumuisha kampuni, shirika au kundi la watu, liwe limefanywa kuwa shirika au ambalo sio shirika; “chama cha kisiasa” inamaanisha muungano wa watu uliobainishwa katika Sehemu ya 3 ya Sura ya Saba;

“mali” inajumuisha haki kamili au iliyotolewa ya, au inayotokana na—

(a)ardhi au vitu vya kudumu vilivyo kwenye ardhi, au kuboreshwa kwa ardhi;

(b)bidhaa au mali ya kibinafsi;

(c)uvumbuzi; au

(d)Pesa au njia tofauti zinazotumika kama pesa;

“afisa wa umma” inamaanisha—

(e)afisa yeyote wa Serikali; au

(f)mtu yeyote, mbali na afisa wa Serikali, anayehudumu katika ofisi ya umma;

(g)”ofisi ya umma” inamaanisha ofisi katika serikali ya kitaifa, serikali ya kaunti au katika huduma za umma, ikiwa malipo na marupurupu ya ofisi hiyo yanalipwa moja kwa moja kutoka kwenye Hazina Jumuishi au moja kwa moja kutoka kwenye fedha zilizotengwa na Bunge.

“huduma za umma” inamaanisha jumla ya watu wote, mbali na maafisa wa Serikali, wanaotekeleza jukumu katika kitengo cha Serikali;

“Jamhuri” inamaanisha Jamhuri ya Kenya;

“Serikali” inapotumiwa kama nomino, inamaanisha mkusanyiko wa afisa, vitengo na asasi zingine zinazounda serikali ya Jamhuri chini ya Katiba hii;

“ofisi ya Serikali” inamaanisha yoyote kati ya ofisi zifuatazo–

(a)Rais;

(b)Naibu wa Rais;

(c)Waziri;

(d)Mbunge;

(e)Majaji na Mahakimu;

(f)mwanachama wa tume chini ya Sura ya Kumi na Tano;

(g)anayehudumu katika ofisi huru chini ya Sura ya Kumi na Tano;

(h)mwakilishi wadi katika bunge la kaunti, gavana au naibu wa gavana wa kaunti, au mwanachama yeyote katika kamati ya utendaji katika serikali ya kaunti;

(i)Mwanasheria Mkuu;

(j)Mkurugenzi wa Mashtaka ya Umma;

(k)Katibu wa Baraza la Mawaziri;

(l)Katibu Mkuu;

(m)Mkuu wa Vikosi vya Ulinzi vya Kenya;

(n)kamanda katika huduma ya Vikosi vya Ulinzi vya Kenya;

(o)Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Huduma ya Upelelezi ya Kitaifa;

(p)Inspekta-Jenerali, na Manaibu wa Inspekta-Jenerali wa Huduma za Polisi za Kitaifa; au

(q)ofisi ambayo imebuniwa na kupewa hadhi ya ofisi ya Serikali chini ya sheria ya kitaifa;

“afisa wa Serikali” inamaanisha mtu anayehudumu katika ofisi ya Serikali; “kitengo cha Serikali” inamaanisha tume, ofisi, shirika au asasi nyingine iliyobuniwa chini ya Katiba hii;

“maandishi” inajumuisha upigaji chapa, upigaji picha, lithografia, upigaji taipu, breli na njia yoyote nyingine inayowakilisha au kutoa maneno kwa njia inayoonekana; na “vijana” inamaanisha jumla ya watu wote katika Jamhuri ambao—

(a)wamefikia umri wa miaka kumi na nane; lakini

(b)hawajafikia umri wa miaka thelathini na mitano.