Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has launched a sharp constitutional critique against President William Ruto, accusing the executive of prioritizing government “development” projects over fundamental constitutional values and human rights.
Posting on his Facebook page, the law maker stated that: “Ruto just spent 40 minutes trying to create a false equivalence between our national values set out in the constitution and his so called “development”. Kenyans, please trust me when i tell you there is a reason the Preamble comes before Article 43. You don’t get to the “development “ clauses until and unless you have taken into account the reasons we passed this constitution in the first place. Democracy, Human Rights, Freedom, Equality, Rule of Law and Social Justice.”
Sifuna emphasized that the structure of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya places foundational governance principles ahead of economic and social rights set out under Article 43, such as health, housing, food, and education. He argued that physical infrastructure or state-led development initiatives cannot justify neglecting fundamental rights, including democracy, human rights, freedom, equality, the rule of law, and social justice.
The Nairobi Senator warned against framing economic progress as a substitute for respecting civil liberties and democratic institutions.
Meanwhile, critics aligned with the administration countered that infrastructure development and economic stabilization are essential prerequisites for citizens to fully enjoy their constitutional rights.
The exchange highlights growing political tensions surrounding the government’s policy focus, with opposition leaders insisting that governance and constitutional compliance must take precedence over political branding.
