Anniversary remarks · 27 August 2025
Fellow Kenyans, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, was born out of the people’s deepest desire for justice, inclusivity, and dignity. We longed for a country where power belongs to the people, where no Kenyan is left behind, and where rights and freedoms are guaranteed for all.
Today, on the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution, we celebrate Katiba Day to honour this covenant and to renew our fidelity to its vision. This Constitution is acclaimed across the world as one of the most progressive and transformative. It is our solemn duty to preserve it, protect it, and ensure its full implementation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, our Constitution was born out of hard and painful lessons. The tragic events of 2007-2008, for example, reminded us how far our nation could descend when institutions fail, when resources are hoarded by a few, and when divisions are cynically exploited. From that moment of crisis, we made a solemn resolve - Never Again. Never again would Kenya be brought to the brink of collapse by impunity and injustice, for we knew that we, as a people, deserved better, and our country demanded better.
Katiba 2010 became our national testimony, our solemn vow to build a free, democratic, inclusive, and united Kenya. Over the past 15 years, we have walked that journey; we have injected life into this great charter.
Fellow Kenyans, as stipulated in Article 174, devolution has come alive. It has fostered equity by distributing resources fairly and addressing historical imbalances. Since the birth of devolution 12 years ago, the National Government has transferred a total of KSh4 trillion to counties. Today, every corner of Kenya has a functional county government, closer to the people than ever before.
From my first day in office, I affirmed that devolution would not merely be a constitutional provision, but the crown jewel of our democratic governance. I pledged to accelerate the full transfer of all outstanding devolved functions, as assigned in the Fourth Schedule of our Constitution, together with the requisite resources.
This commitment was formalised during the 11th National and County Government Coordinating Summit at State House, Nairobi, on 16th December 2024. Today, all 14 devolved functions have been conclusively delineated, unbundled, and formally gazetted, eliminating longstanding ambiguities that hampered service delivery and fuelled inter-governmental disputes.
To further underscore this commitment, two weeks ago, I signed into law two landmark pieces of legislation: The County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the County Allocation of Revenue Act, 2025.
In line with Article 217 of the Constitution, these laws reinforce the principle of equitable revenue sharing among counties, guarantee fairness in the distribution of national resources, empower county assemblies to play their rightful role, and clearly define the respective mandates of both the National and County governments.
Under my leadership, the National Government is committed to supporting devolution by ensuring the timely disbursement of funds and steadily increasing allocations to counties. Under the Division of Revenue Act, 2025, we have allocated an unprecedented KSh415 billion to counties, as Chairman of the Council of Governors, FCPA Ahmed Abdullahi has affirmed, nearly KSh30 billion more than last year’s KSh387 billion.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bill of Rights, enshrined in Chapter 4 of the Constitution, is the heart of our democratic order. It guarantees every Kenyan fundamental freedoms and socioeconomic rights, including the right to education, health, housing, food, water, and dignity as set out in Article 43.
Over the past 15 years, we have worked diligently to breathe life into these rights. Free primary and day secondary education has opened doors of opportunity to millions of children from every corner of our nation. We have successfully transitioned to the Competency-Based Education and Training system, making our education more relevant, practical, and aligned with the demands of the 21st Century.
Our student-centred funding model is expanding access for learners while securing the sustainability of our universities. By January next year, we will have recruited a record 100,000 new teachers in just three years, a significant achievement that has strengthened our education system and improved learning outcomes across the country.
Fellow Kenyans, our Affordable Housing Programme is delivering safe and decent homes to families across the country, affirming that shelter is not a privilege for a few, but a constitutional entitlement for all. Today, over 160,000 housing units are under construction, each one providing not only a roof over a family’s head but also creating thousands of jobs for our young people, artisans, and professionals.
On Universal Health Coverage, we are ensuring that illness no longer drives families into poverty and that access to quality healthcare is upheld as the right of every citizen. Despite the inevitable challenges of transition, which are being systematically addressed, the progress is demonstrable and undeniable. As of today, 25.7 million Kenyans have registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), a clear indication of confidence in this reform. Through SHA, we are delivering healthcare to millions of Kenyans in direct, practical, and impactful ways.
Ladies and Gentlemen, our independent institutions, established under Chapter 15 of the Constitution, are the pillars that safeguard the sovereignty of the people.
The Judiciary, Parliament, and constitutional commissions operate independently to ensure justice is served, resources are protected, and leadership remains accountable.
Yet, while independent, they are also interdependent, bound together by the shared duty to uphold the Constitution and serve the public good. Parliament relies on reports from oversight agencies; the Judiciary requires laws passed by Parliament; and the Executive depends on the checks and guidance of all institutions to deliver effectively.
This balance of independence and interdependence is the genius of our constitutional design: No arm of government, no office, and no commission can claim supremacy because they are all answerable to the people. In this way, our institutions work not in competition, but in complementarity, to protect democracy, entrench accountability, and advance the aspirations of every Kenyan.
Fellow patriots, our national values, set out in Article 10 of the Constitution, are not only a key pillar of our constitutional order but also the very foundation of our stability as a nation. They remind us that Kenya must always be anchored in patriotism, national unity, democracy, participation of the people, human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusivity, equality, human rights, non-discrimination, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Today, on this Katiba Day, as we renew our commitment to the ideals of the Constitution, we must ask ourselves honest, candid questions: Are we truly patriotic? Are we living with integrity in public and private life? Are we inclusive, leaving no one behind? Are we accountable to one another, to our institutions, and to future generations?
Corruption is a serious threat to our progress as a nation. It undermines our Constitution, weakens our institutions, and erodes the well-being of every Kenyan. It is a fact that corruption exists in all arms of government - the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary, and each must confront this menace with honesty and resolve.
I have always reiterated my resolve to serve as a responsible steward of public resources. We have digitised and automated government services to seal loopholes and eliminate opportunities for corruption. Today, Kenyans can access over 22,000 services on e-Citizen, up from only 325 a few years ago. The results are evident: Revenue collection has risen dramatically to over KSh1billion daily, translating to more than KSh500 billion annually.
Yet, I admit there is still much more to be done to combat corruption within the Executive. Corruption must be chased down every alley, every corridor, and every corner of the Executive by every well-meaning citizen whenever it is spotted. I, William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya, fully support the rigorous and expeditious prosecution of any corruption case backed by evidence.
This is the only way to restore trust, uphold the Constitution, and assure Kenyans that no office, no title, and no individual is above the law.
Parliament, too, must rise to its duty by passing laws that entrench transparency and close avenues for abuse. I commend Parliament for passing the Conflict-of-Interest Bill, which I have signed into law. This law strengthens ethical standards and closes loopholes that allowed abuse of office.
But as Parliament performs oversight and demands accountability from others, it must also remain accountable to the people of Kenya.
This calls for a candid and honest conversation within Parliament. Shall members be counted among those who demand and enforce accountability or among those who undermine the Constitution by entrenching corruption and impunity?
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Judiciary, entrusted under Article 159, must equally guarantee swift, impartial, and credible justice. Justice delayed, including in corruption cases, is justice not only deferred but also denied.
The Judiciary must confront corruption within its own ranks. I am aware of the vigorous and often unsettling conversations around terms like “JuriPesa.” As painful as these may be, they cannot be ignored.
If the institution mandated to dispense justice is perceived as corrupt, it not only erodes confidence but undermines the very Constitution it is sworn to protect. The Judiciary must rise to its highest calling: To cleanse itself, uphold its independence with integrity, and prove itself the true temple of justice for all Kenyans.
In summary, fellow citizens, our national values must not remain words on paper. They must be lived, practised, and defended every day by every institution, by every leader, and by every citizen.
As your President, I solemnly reaffirm my oath to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya. I call upon all arms of Government - the Executive, Parliament, and the Judiciary - as well as independent institutions and every citizen to faithfully discharge their responsibilities in fidelity to the Constitution. For it is only through our shared commitment that we can secure justice, uphold democracy, guarantee the prosperity of our nation, and truly breathe life into our Constitution. I thank you.