On The History Behind Katiba Day
On 27 August 2010, Kenyans experienced a significant change in governance when the Constitution of Kenya 2010 was promulgated. This moment marked the beginning of a new constitutional order that emphasized citizen participation, devolution, rights protection, and checks on power. Since then, this date has held significance for many, viewing it as the rebirth of Kenya’s democratic journey.
The new proclamation by the president
On 25 August 2025, President William Ruto signed a proclamation designating 27 August as Katiba Day. This announcement coincides with Kenya’s fifteenth anniversary of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 coming into effect. According to the proclamation, Katiba Day will be observed every year on 27 August within Kenya and by Kenya’s missions abroad. However, it will remain a working day, though institutions such as schools and government offices are expected to organize civic activities to promote awareness about the Constitution.
What the Public Holidays Act states
The Public Holidays Act (Cap 110 Laws of Kenya) outlines the official public holidays in Kenya. These include New Year’s Day, Madaraka Day, Mashujaa Day, Jamhuri Day, and others. The law also permits the president to declare any other day a public holiday. Such a declaration must be made through a notice in the Kenya Gazette. This means that for a day to be recognized as a public holiday legally, a gazette notice is required.
Is Katiba Day a holiday?
The proclamation by the president calls for Katiba Day to be observed, but it explicitly states that it will be a working day. This indicates that Katiba Day is not a public holiday in the legal sense. For it to become a holiday that grants Kenyans time off work or school, the president would need to gazette it under the Public Holidays Act. Currently, Katiba Day is more of a commemorative day rather than a holiday.
Any changes in parliament
There have been discussions in the past regarding reviewing the Public Holidays Act to include other national days, but as of now, no Bill has been introduced in parliament seeking to amend the Act to include Katiba Day. Unless parliament amends the law or the president gazettes it as a holiday under the Act, Katiba Day will continue to be observed as a working day with civic activities.
Conclusion
Katiba Day will be remembered every 27 August as a tribute to the 2010 Constitution and the values it embodies. However, it will not impact the working calendar unless parliament or the president, through a gazette notice, officially declares it a public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.27 August 2010, Kenyans witnessed a major shift in their governance when the Constitution of Kenya 2010 was promulgated. This moment marked the start of a new constitutional order that placed more emphasis on citizen participation, devolution, protection of rights, and checks on power. Every year since then, this date has carried meaning for many who view it as the rebirth of Kenya’s democratic path.
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