Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for a renewed commitment to making Kenya’s Constitution work better for citizens, saying the country’s focus 16 years after its promulgation should move beyond defending the document to ensuring its principles are felt in the daily lives of Kenyans.

Mudavadi made the remarks during the Katiba Day Symposium, where he joined President William Ruto in reflecting on Kenya’s constitutional journey since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary said the passage of 16 years provides an opportunity for the country to assess not only what was contained in the Constitution, but also how effectively its provisions have translated into meaningful improvements for citizens.

He noted that the Constitution has brought significant changes to Kenya’s governance landscape, including strengthening devolution, expanding citizens’ rights, deepening public participation and bringing government services and decision-making closer to the people.

According to Mudavadi, the country has also reached a level of maturity where it can objectively examine the successes and shortcomings of the constitutional framework and identify areas that require improvement.

He said the conversation surrounding the Constitution should therefore not be limited to protecting what was achieved in 2010, but should also focus on finding ways of making constitutional governance more responsive to the changing needs of Kenyans.

Mudavadi further observed that Kenya is undergoing rapid technological and economic transformation, with digital technology, the digital economy and Artificial Intelligence increasingly influencing how people live, work and interact with institutions.

He said these developments require the country’s laws and institutions to evolve so that they remain relevant and capable of responding to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary, however, cautioned that laws and institutions alone cannot deliver the Kenya envisioned under the Constitution, stressing that the values guiding those entrusted with public responsibility remain equally important.

He emphasized the need for integrity, responsibility and commitment to the public interest in the exercise of leadership and the management of public institutions.

Mudavadi said constitutionalism should ultimately be measured by the experiences of ordinary citizens rather than simply by the existence of laws, institutions and constitutional provisions.

He pointed to fairer institutions, accountable leadership, effective government and improved outcomes for citizens as some of the practical indicators through which Kenyans should be able to experience the benefits of constitutional governance.

His remarks come as Kenya continues to reflect on the progress made since the adoption of the 2010 Constitution, which fundamentally reshaped the country’s governance structure and introduced a stronger framework for the protection of rights, public participation and devolved government.

Mudavadi said the responsibility facing Kenyans after 16 years is therefore not merely to defend the Constitution, but to ensure that it continues to serve the people effectively in a rapidly changing society.

He said the country must remain willing to evaluate its constitutional journey honestly, preserve the gains already made and address areas where implementation has fallen short.

The message placed renewed emphasis on the need for constitutionalism to move from the realm of legal and political debate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens, with government institutions expected to become more accountable, responsive and effective.

As Kenya looks ahead, Mudavadi said the continued success of the Constitution will depend not only on the strength of its legal provisions, but also on the willingness of leaders, institutions and citizens to uphold its values and ensure that public interest remains at the center of governance.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has challenged Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua to submit concrete evidence to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) regarding his allegations of graft and political interference within the electoral body.

IEBC Chairman Edung Ethekon firmly dismissed assertions that politicians have compromised the commission’s leadership, specifically rejecting claims that a residential property was purchased for the poll body to influence official decision-making.

Highlighting the inconsistency of these assertions, Ethekon pointed out that the reported value of the property fluctuated wildly from 80 million to 200 million Kenyan Shillings without any substantiation.

To facilitate a genuine investigation, the commission instructed Gachagua to produce transaction records, title transfer documents, sale agreements, payment receipts, and the identities of all involved parties.

Beyond the property claims, the chairperson refuted allegations of pre-determined tender awards and political meddling in procuring election technology and ballot materials. He clarified that the procurement process for the Integrated Election Management System (IEMS) and voting materials remains in its preliminary stages, with no contracts awarded to any entity.

In fact, both procurement procedures are temporarily suspended pending review applications before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board. The commission reaffirmed that technical specifications were published transparently on public portals on August 11, 2026, and fully comply with Article 227 of the Constitution and relevant procurement laws.

Addressing broader operational concerns, Ethekon dismissed misconduct allegations against commission members as baseless, defending the legality and judicial validation of their appointment process.

He also reassured the public regarding voter registration data, confirming that the voter register remains securely under exclusive IEBC custody as it undergoes biometric deduplication, verification, and independent auditing ahead of the scheduled August 10, 2027 General Election.

Warning that unverified accusations risk eroding public trust in democratic institutions, the IEBC urged political leaders and stakeholders to utilize established legal mechanisms rather than resorting to unsubstantiated public claims.

In a significant policy reversal, President William Ruto has acknowledged critical failures in the government’s response to the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations and the 2025 commemorative protests, maintaining that no lives should have been lost.

The President ordered comprehensive investigations into fatalities, alleged abductions, unlawful arrests, and excessive police force.

The youth-led movement initially erupted in opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 before evolving into widespread anti-government protests targeting corruption, economic distress, and governance failures.

High-intensity clashes between citizens and state security forces resulted in multiple fatalities, severe injuries, and alleged enforced disappearances during both the primary protests and the June 2025 anniversaries.

Reflecting on the casualties, President Ruto stated that loss of life during public demonstrations is unjustifiable. He emphasized that every citizen retains the fundamental right to protest, critique state leadership, and express dissenting views without risking their life, freedom, or dignity.

Conceding that the unrest left deep national trauma and unaddressed grievances for affected families, the President committed to independent, transparent, and rigorous inquiries to ensure state officers or perpetrators guilty of human rights violations face full legal accountability.

This decision is anticipated to reignite intense public discourse surrounding state security conduct and test the administration’s willingness to prosecute extrajudicial abuses.

The Machakos Law Courts has given the investigations department a final opportunity to present a report detailing the progress of investigations into the disappearance of businessman Jimmy Mutava, in the latest development in the case that has continued to attract significant attention from his family, friends and supporters.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the court directed the investigations department to file and present the report by September 3, setting a fresh deadline in a matter that has remained under close scrutiny as Mutava’s family continues to seek answers over his whereabouts.

The session was conducted via a virtual link, with members of Mutava’s family and his supporters occupying Court 2 at the Machakos Law Courts to closely follow the proceedings and receive updates on the case.

The court warned that failure by the investigations department to comply with the latest directive could result in senior security officials being compelled to appear in court and explain why the required report had not been presented.

The court specifically indicated that the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Criminal Investigations could be summoned to personally appear before the court should the authorities fail to meet the September 3 deadline.

The latest order has placed renewed pressure on investigative authorities to provide a comprehensive account of the steps taken so far and address growing concerns surrounding Mutava’s continued absence.

The proceedings have been closely followed by Mutava’s family and supporters, who have continued to demand answers and clarity on his whereabouts while relying on the court process to ensure that the matter receives the attention it deserves.

Wednesday’s session therefore marked another significant moment in the case, with September 3 now emerging as a critical date when investigators are expected to account for the progress made in tracing Mutava and establishing what happened to him.

Meanwhile, fresh reports indicate that the area Member of Parliament has moved to take the matter to the National Assembly, where a motion concerning Jimmy Mutava’s disappearance is expected to come up for discussion from 2pm. The parliamentary intervention is likely to widen the scrutiny surrounding the case and bring the concerns of Mutava’s family and supporters to the attention of lawmakers.

The move to raise the matter in Parliament comes at a time when pressure is mounting on investigative authorities to provide clear answers on the circumstances surrounding Mutava’s disappearance and the progress of efforts to establish his whereabouts.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the case, those close to Mutava continue to call for calm, patience and, above all, prayers as they remain hopeful that the ongoing legal, investigative and parliamentary efforts will eventually provide answers and lead to his safe return.

The case will return to the Machakos Law Courts on September 3, when the investigations department is expected to report back to the court. The family and supporters are expected to continue closely monitoring both the court proceedings and developments in Parliament as they await further information.

Jimmy has now been missing for 31 days after he was allegedly abducted on July 27, 2026, while at a local entertainment joint in Mlolongo, Machakos County.