Afrobarometer Briefing Paper No. 109 
The Constitution of Kenya 2010: Kenyans Give a 
Thumbs Up 
 
by Adams Oloo 
 
January 2013 
 
Introduction 
The independence constitution of 1963 had been heavily mutilated by the time Kenyans adopted a new 
constitution on August 27, 2010. Although Kenya amended its constitution and returned to a multi-party 
political system in 1991, this change did not result in a liberal constitution. It would take Kenyans another 
19 years before enacting a truly liberal constitution. Both the Moi regime and the Kibaki regime aborted 
the quest for a new constitution before the Grand Coalition Government, headed by President Mwai 
Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, finally delivered the much heralded Constitution of Kenya, 
2010. 
 
This briefing paper provides an analytical view of the process of implementing the new constitution 
promulgated in 2010 and the subsequent impact it has had on the processes of democracy, governance 
and constitutionalism in the country. The analysis is based on the results of Round 5 Afrobarometer 
survey conducted in late 2011. 
 
Afrobarometer Surveys 
The Afrobarometer survey is a comparative series of national public opinion surveys that measure public 
attitudes on the social, political and economic atmosphere in Africa. The Afrobarometer¶s main goal is to 
produce scientifically reliable data on public opinion in Africa, strengthen institutional capacities for 
survey research, and provide research findings to inform development policy and practice. It also provides 
a body of knowledge to ordinary citizens to effectively engage in the development process. 
  
During Round 5, Afrobarometer surveys will be conducted in up to 35 African countries using a common 
survey instrument and methodology. The instrument asks a standard set of questions that permits 
systematic comparison in public attitudes across countries and over time. The methodology is based on a 
national probability sample of 2400 adult Kenyans selected to represent all adult citizens of voting age, 
allowing for inferences with a sampling margin of error of +/-2 per cent at a confidence level of 95 per 
cent. The sample was drawn randomly based on Probability Proportionate to Population Size (PPPS), thus 
taking account of population distributions, gender as well as rural-urban divides. The sampling process 
ensured that every adult Kenyan citizen had an equal and known chance of being selected into the sample. 
All nine provinces were represented. Fieldwork was conducted by the Institute for Development Studies 
(IDS), University of Nairobi, between 4th November and 5th December 2012.  
 
Promulgation of the Constitution and its aftermath 
The period between August 27, 2010, when the constitution was promulgated, and March 4, 2013, when 
the next General Elections will be held, is deemed as the transition period in the implementation of the 
new Constitution. Although there are provisions in the new Constitution that are suspended until after the 
next General Election, others were operationalized immediately after the promulgation with clear 
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timelines. The survey therefore sought Kenyans¶ opinions on s alreadyom e of the provisions
implemented, including appointments to public office; the fight against corruption; respect for human 
rights; integrity of the judiciary and courts; and discipline within political parties.  
 
Quality of Appointments 
The new Constitution provides that key public appointments have to be transparently vetted with the 
majority of the process occurring publicly. Kenyans appear to believe that implementation of these 
provisions has improved the quality of public appointments. Overall, most Kenyans (62 per cent) feel that 
under the new Constitution, appointments to public office are either better or much better than in the past, 
with only 5 per cent having the opinion that they are either worse or much worse (Figure 1). Fourteen per 
cent, however, responded that they did not know, which can be attributed to either their lack of 
knowledge or disinterest in the constitution implementation process. 
 
The views of those who felt that the appointment process is much better can likely be attributed to several 
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factors. First, under the National Accord that still applies, presidential appointments have to be made in 
consultation between the two coalition principals. Second, nominees for key public positions have to 
undergo formal public interviews in addition to being vetted by Parliament. Third, Kenyans have avenues 
to petition executive decisions that they find unconstitutional. To this end, Kenyans appear to be alive to 
their rights under the new Constitution and willing to stand up for them. They have not hesitated to take 
on their president when they deem that he has violated its provisions. A landmark instance was in January 
2011, when apart from Parliament, the Attorney General and the Judicial Service Commission, Kenyans 
acted through various civil society organs to force the president to rescind his decision to make key 
appointments without adhering to the new requirements. It proved to be a landmark event that the 
president has been cognizant of in making subsequent appointments. 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
1
 National Accord is the post-2007 General Election Coalition agreement that has provisions for the sharing of 
executive power between the President and the Prime Minister up to the next General Election. 
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Figure 1: Quality of Public Appointments under the 2010 Constitution 
Series1, Better / 
Much better,  62  
 
Percentage
Series1, Don't 
Series1, Same,  16  
know,  14  
Series1, Worse / 
Much worse,  8  
 
Looking back since the promulgation of the Kenya Constitution 2010, would you say it has made 
appointments to public office better, worse or remained the same? 
 
Likewise, a large majority of Kenyans (65 per cent) agree with the current system of public vetting for 
individuals seeking senior positions in government (Figure 2).  However, 17 per cent find it intrusive, and 
therefore, opine that it keeps qualified individuals from seeking government jobs. It appears that the 
Kenyan public approves of transparent and public recruitment as a method of curtailing past malpractices 
in the appointment process. 
 
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Figure 2: Support for Vetting of Appointees 
14% 
4% 
17% 
65% 
Agree/Agree very strongly with publicly vetting of officials
Agree/Agree very strongly that public vetting is too invasive
Agree with neither
Don't know
 
Which of the following statements is closest to your view? Choose Statement 1 or Statement 2 
Statement 1: The current system of public vetting for individuals seeking senior positions in government is 
necessary to ensure that government workers have the proper qualifications. 
Statement 2: The current system of public vetting is too invasive and may be keeping qualified individuals 
from seeking government jobs. 
 
Continuing Presidential Term Limits 
A major relic that characterized the old constitution was the sufifdenocatcyi (´wngher Ie thme perial Pres
executive is dominant and is not sufficiently checked by the other arms of the government, i.e., the 
legislature and the judiciary). The quest to curtail the Imperi Pralesidency began i wn 1991hen the two 
term limit was constitutionally imposed on the holder of the Office of the President. This provision has 
been retained in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.  
 
The 2011 Afrobarometer survey in Kenya sought the views of citizens on this provision. As reflected in 
Figure 3, the survey clearly shows that Kenyans are in favor of the two term limit. An overwhelming 83 
per cent either agree or agree very strongly with the statement that ³the constitution should limit the 
president to serving a maximum of two term limits in office´, compared to only 13 per cent who would 
like the term limit provision done away with. Kenyans appear to be saying that responsible leadership at 
the presidential level can be sustained through tenure limits. Kenyans may hope that tenure limits can 
promote accountability from presidents. Clearly they are diametrically opposed to the unlimited tenure 
that prolonged the misrule of, and  MoiKenyatta before him. 
 
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Figure 3: Support for Presidential Term Limits 
Series1, Agree / 
Agree very strongly 
with two term limit,  
83  
 
Percentage
Series1, Agree / 
Agree very strongly 
with no term limit,  
13  
Series1, Agree with Series1, Don't 
neither,  2  know,  1  
 
Which of the following statements is closest to your view? Choose Statement 1 or Statement 2 
Statement 1: The Constitution should limit the president to serving a maximum of two terms in office. 
Statement 2: There should be no constitutional limit on how long the president can serve. 
 
Fighting Corruption 
Another perennial problem in Kenya has been the high incidence of corruption. The 2010 Constitution 
therefore included clauses aimed at curing this vice. The survey therefore sought Kenyans¶ perceptions on 
the fight against corruption since the promulgation of the new Constitution. Unlike other sectors, 
however, Kenyans are not yet convinced that the new Constitution has put the fight against corruption on 
the right track. Less than half of Kenyans (46 per cent) agree that the fight against corruption has gotten 
better or much better. Twenty-seven per cent feel nothing has changed, while 16 per cent feel it is either 
worse or much worse, and another 12 per cent do not know. The positive perception of 46 per cent of 
Kenyans on the fight against corruption probably can be attributed to the enhanced independence of 
several anti-corruption commissions now anchored in the constitution, including the Ethics and Anti-
Corruption Commission (EACC). Some may also be encouraged by the increased prosecution of 
economic crimes since the promulgation of the new Constitution, which has seen cabinet ministers and 
senior civil servants being compelled to step aside from their offices until they are cleared of the said 
charges.  
 
 
 
 
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Figure 4: Fight against Corruption under the 2010 Constitution 
Series1, Better / 
Much better,  46  
 
Series1, Same,  27  
Series1, Worse / 
Percentage
Much worse,  16  Series1, Don't 
know,  12  
 
Looking back since the promulgation of the Kenya Constitution 2010, would you say it has made the fight 
against corruption better, worse or remained the same? 
 
Those who, on the contrary, feel that nothing has changed or that the situation is worse since the 
promulgation of the 2010 Constitution could have been influenced by the several factors. First is the 
protracted transition from the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission to the EACC that saw the former 
Director and his fellow Commissioners thrown out of office by parliamentarians in an acrimonious 
manner. Second is the subsequent lacuna created after the names of the new nominees were challenged in 
parliament and also by the courts. The court has recently found the chairman, Mumo Matemu, not fit to 
hold that office based on integrity issues. Third is the perennial lack of big fish being brought before the 
corridors of justice even as corruption cases still abound. 
 
Protecting Human Rights 
The promotion of human rights by the Kenyan government has gotten a boost since the promulgation of 
the new Constitution. Kenya is now judged as one of the countries with the most progressive Bills of 
Rights in the world. These gains are also reflected in the perceptions of Kenyans; a total of 58 per cent 
opine that respect for human rights is better or much better since the promulgation of the constitution, 
while only a paltry eight per cent feel that it is either worse or much worse. The optimism can perhaps be 
attributed to the fact that since the promulgation Kenya has become a litigant nation where the low and 
mighty are now treated equally before the law. The case of security guard Rebecca Kerubo and Deputy 
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Chief Justice Nancy Baraza attests to this, among other cases. 
 
                                                           
2
 Ms Baraza, who has since resigned as Deputy Chief Justice over the matter, was also the Vice President of the 
Supreme Court of Kenya.  
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Figure 5: Respect for Human Rights under the 2010 Constitution 
Series1, Better / 
Much better,  58  
 
Percentage
Series1, Same,  22  
Series1, Don't 
Series1, Worse / know,  13  
Much worse,  8  
 
Looking back since the promulgation of the Kenya Constitution 2010, would you say it has made respect 
for human rights better, worse or remained the same? 
 
Independence and Integrity of the Judiciary 
Kenyans¶ confidence in the judicial institutions was at its lowest ebb before the promulgation of the new 
Constitution. In fact, the 2007/08 post-election violence may have been in part a result of a lack of 
confidence in the judiciary, as supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) believed that they 
would not get justice in the courts. Many ODM supporters were of the view that the courts followed the 
whims of the executive, led by President Kibaki, who was then their adversary. This negative perception 
of the judiciary has, however, changed drastically since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. 
 
According to the survey, a majority of 57 per cent of Kenyans opine that the integrity of the 
judiciary/courts is better or much better, while only a paltry 7 per cent feel that it is worse or much worse 
(Figure 6).  
 
 
 
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Figure 6: Integrity of the Judiciary/Courts under the 2010 Constitution 
Series1, Better / 
Much better,  57  
 
PercentageSeries1, Same,  21  
Series1, Don't 
know,  16  
Series1, Worse / 
Much worse,  7  
 
Looking back since the promulgation of the Kenya Constitution 2010, would you say it has made integrity 
of the judiciary / courts better, worse or remained the same? 
 
The growing confidence in the judiciary and courts can likely be attributed to a number of judicial 
reforms that have been undertaken since 2010. First, as stipulated in the transitional clauses, the Chief 
Justice left office six months from the date of promulgation.  A new Chief Justice was then recruited from 
civil society, which brought freshness to the judiciary and broke the old order of business  as usual.
Second, recruitment to the higher echelons of the judiciary, namely the Chief Justice and the Deputy, 
Supreme Court Justices and Appeals Court Judges, are now done in a more transparent and public 
manner, thus endowing the Judiciary with greater credibility. Third, the new Chief Justice and the Judicial 
Service Commission have enlightened the public about the reforms taking place in the Judiciary. Fourth, 
the vetting of judicial officers by the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board has seen household names in 
the judiciary sent home for a number of varied reasons.  This has sent the message that the judiciary is 
finally being cleaned.  Finally, the hiring of new judges to help clear the backlog of cases has also 
improved the efficiency in the judiciary. All of these factors could also have contributed to the more 
positive perspective with which the courts are now regarded in Kenya.  
 
Political Party Discipline 
The new Constitution also sought to streamline the management and administration of political parties. 
To this end, the Political Parties Act of 2011 has been enacted as envisaged by the Constitution. The Act 
stipulates that individuals shall not be members of two political parties at any given time, parties are 
expected to make their returns to the Registrar of Political Parties within stipulated time; parties are 
expected to have offices across the country and to have a stipulated membership with a national outlook. 
Kenyans appear to have not, however, seen the fruits of the Political Parties Act. Those who are of the 
view that the discipline of political parties has improved and those of the contrary view are nearly in a 
stalemate, when you consider that those who think the status quo still stands comprise fully 26 per cent. 
 
 
 
 
 
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Figure 7: Discipline within Political Parties under the 2010 Constitution 
Series1, Better / 
Much better,  40  
 
Series1, Same,  26  
Series1, Don't 
Series1, Worse / know,  19  
Percentage
Much worse,  15  
 
Looking back, since the promulgation of the Kenya Constitution 2010, would you say it has made 
discipline within political parties, better, worse or remained the same? 
 
According to the survey, those who are of the opinion that discipline within political parties is better or 
much better after the promulgation of the constitution stand at 40 per cent, while those who think that 
indiscipline remains the same stand at 26 per cent. Furthermore, those who think that it is worse or much 
worse stand at 15 per cent, thus bringing the latter total to 41 per cent. One of the plausible reasons for 
this stalemate might be the fact that at the time of the survey the Act had just been passed and therefore it 
had not been operationalized. A more persuasive reason, however, could be that in spite of the existence 
of the Act, it is not being enforced, as most cases of indiscipline within political parties are still pending 
action in court. In any case, the Minister for Finance is on record saying that if the Political Parties Act 
was implemented to the letter, and 100 MPs who have hopped from the parties that sponsored them to 
parliament were declared vacant, treasury would not be in a position to foot the bill for the by-elections 
that would ensue. Those who deem that the Political Parties Act has improved the discipline amongst 
political parties might be taking cue from the fact that the number of briefcase political parties has 
declined drastically. Before the act came into operation, there were over 157 registered parties. This has 
now decreased to 54. 
 
Implementation of the Constitution 
The last question asked about the constitution was a general one; it sought Kenyans¶ views on how 
satisfied they were with the ongoing process of implementing the new Constitution. A substantial 66 per 
cent were either fairly satisfied or very satisfied with the process, compared to only 7 per cent who were 
not satisfied at all. These high levels of satisfaction with the implementation process can probably be 
attributed to several key factors.  First, except for a few items, most new legislation has been enacted by 
parliament on time as per the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Second, although there 
have been some bottlenecks in the implementation process, overall Kenyans have been alert to challenges, 
and attempts by the executive to go against the spirit of the constitution have been countered by Kenyans 
who have often sought to redress the issues in court. Third, the Commission for the Implementation of the 
Constitution has effectively acted as the public watchdog and has sounded the alarm whenever the 
executive and parliament have violated either the letter or the spirit of the Constitution, and where need 
be, has sought to redress these violations in court on behalf of Kenyans. 
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Figure 8: Satisfaction with the Implementation of the 2010 Constitution 
Series1, Fairly 
satisfied,  46  
 
Series1, Not very 
Series1, Very 
satisfied,  23  satisfied,  20  
Percentage
Series1, Not at all Series1, Do not 
satisfied,  7  know,  5  
 
Overall, how satisfied are you with the implementation of the Kenya Constitution 2010? 
 
Conclusion 
Overall, the survey clearly shows that Kenyans approve the ongoing process of implementing the 
Constitution. On all the issues covered here, at least a plurality reports that the 2010 Constitution has 
brought about improvements, and in most cases majorities² sometimes large ones² feel this way.  
Likewise, those who give thumbs up to the implementation process far outstrip those who have a negative 
opinion. We can thus conclude that Kenyans themselves have helped in this process as they have become 
more vigilant and are ready to chime in on efforts geared towards determining their own destiny. 
 
 
This Briefing Paper was prepared by Dr. Adams Oloo, Chairman, Department of Political Science and 
Public Administration, University of Nairobi. He can be reached at 
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The Afrobarometer is produced collaboratively by social scientists from more than 30 African countries. 
Coordination is provided by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the Institute for 
Democracy in South Africa (Idasa), Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobi, and 
the Institute for Empirical Research in Political Economy (IREEP) in Benin. Technical support is 
provided by Michigan State University and the University of Cape Town. Survey implementation in 
Kenya, including preparations, data collection and management and overall project coordination, was 
undertaken by IDS, University of Nairobi.  
 
We gratefully acknowledge generous support from the UK¶s DepaDrevtelmentopment fo r International 
(DfID), the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), United 
States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Bank for support of 
Afrobarometer Round 5. For more information and further requests of analysis please visit the 
Afrobarometer website:  www.afrobarometer.org or contact Abel Oyuke, AB Project Manager for East 
Africa, on +254-722 816 242; email: 
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