Nora Mbagathi

Human Rights and Potatoes. Executive Director at Katiba Institute. Tweets my own views

[@TisaKenya @TISAKenya]

At 16, the Constitution is old enough to know better, but young enough to keep asking difficult questions.

And maybe that is exactly what we need to do.

A sovereign right gives us the power to make independent, personal decisions. It is not something our leaders can take away from us while telling us they know what is best.

That is not the relationship the Constitution established.

As we look ahead to 2027, we must keep asking the uncomfortable questions, hold our leaders to what the Constitution prescribes, and demand a relationship between citizens and leaders built on rights, accountability and participation.

16 years in, the question is not just what we celebrate. It is what we demand.

Chris Kerkering - Head Of Litigation ,@katibainstitute

#KatibaKwaGround
The People Shall!

[Nora Mbagathi @NoraMbagathi]

The 2010 Constitution was a hard-won victory for the Kenyan people that continues to require defending. We thank Yash for all he has done in this struggle

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

As we celebrate Katiba Day, we honour Prof. Yash Pal Ghai for his immense contribution to Kenya’s constitutional-making process.

#KatibaAt16

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Katiba at 16:

Our Litigation Counsel, @SumayyahMokku, will be on @K24TV tomorrow from 7:00 a.m., reflecting on the 2010 Constitution and its implementation 16 years on.

Tune in as we take stock of the Constitution’s journey - the progress made, the gaps, and what the next chapter should look like.

#KatibaAt16

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

"The Constitution was achieved largely by the struggle of the people, over a period of 20 years. It is the only Kenyan constitution achieved essentially by the people." - Prof Yash Pal Ghai

#KatibaAt16

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

#KatibaNaSautiYetu #KatibaEdition

[Nora Mbagathi @NoraMbagathi]

👏 👏

[Njeri 🇰🇪 @rtunguru]

The news is out ⚡ officially a @mozilla Fellow!
Proud to join the 2026–2027 Mozilla Fellows. I'm building Open Elections Kenya - an open-source electoral monitoring system for all Kenyans. Follow along, because the future is still ours to build.

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Katiba Institute's @beth_odek is taking participants through understanding devolution, starting with Article 1 of the Constitution, which establishes the two levels of government: national and county governments. She further looks at Article 6 which highlights the two central pillars of intergovernmental relations: distinctiveness and interdependence.

She then moves to Article 174, highlighting the objects of devolution, including promoting democratic and accountable exercise of power, enhancing public participation, and bringing services closer to communities.

The session then breaks down the functions of the national and county governments, drawing on Article 186 read together with the Fourth Schedule, which sets out the respective functions and responsibilities of each level of government.

#KatibaInstituteInKakamega #IDeserveToKnow #DevolutionKE

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Court Update:

The High Court heard the petition challenging the construction of an Ebola facility at Laikipia Airbase on 23 and 24 July 2026, during which the parties highlighted their submissions before the Court.

Following the hearing, the conservatory orders previously issued remain in effect pending the determination of the petition.

The judgment is set to be delivered on 26 November 2026.

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Join us:

Katiba Institute seeks a Climate Justice Legal Fellow for an 18-month fellowship under the African Climate Legal Fellowship (ACLF) Program .

This opportunity is designed to support an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in private practice to advance climate justice through legal research, public-interest litigation, community support, partner engagement, and strategic environmental legal action.

For more information: https://t.co/EFjxVQbQKy

#IkoKaziKE

[Africa Uncensored @AfUncensored]

Africa Uncensored in partnership with KAS Media Programme: Sub Saharan Africa is looking for emerging African investigative journalists committed to public interest reporting for The Africa Investigative Journalism Lab.

If you're passionate about hard-hitting reporting and want the skills, mentorship and resources to take your investigative stories to the next level, this is your chance.

📍Application Deadline: 15th August 2026

🔗 Click the link below to apply or share the opportunity with someone: https://t.co/3DVj9mRTa9

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Welcome to this edition of our newsletter, highlighting key insights from the Symposium on Constitutionalism, Term Limits and Public Debt Accountability in Africa, held on 18–19 March 2026 at Daystar University, Nairobi.

Convened by Katiba Institute in partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) Kenya, the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL), Daystar University, and @TISAKenya , the symposium brought together scholars, legal practitioners, policymakers, civil society actors, and students to examine some of Africa's most pressing constitutional and governance challenges.

Through thought-provoking discussions, participants explored the intersections between constitutionalism, executive power, presidential term limits, and public debt accountability, while reflecting on the role of the judiciary, civic engagement, and regional cooperation in strengthening democratic governance.

This newsletter captures the key discussions, recommendations, and reflections from the symposium, underscoring the shared commitment to advancing constitutionalism, accountability, and the rule of law across Africa.

Read the newsletter via https://t.co/RSK5hPOJre
.@AINoormohamed

[Nora Mbagathi @NoraMbagathi]

No person or institution is above the Constitution

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Operationalisation of the County Policing Authorities:

The High Court has summoned Kenya’s top legal, security, and devolved government officials to appear in Court on 24 September 2026 to explain their continued defiance of a 2023 judgment ordering the operationalisation of County Policing Authorities (CPAs).

The directive follows an urgent application filed by Katiba Institute on 28 July 2026, seeking enforcement of the Court's earlier orders after more than three and a half years of continued non-compliance by the respondents.

.@KevinWalumbe .@RayOdanga .@NoraMbagathi

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Speaking to the importance of judicial intervention, @hp_gichana noted that Public Interest Litigation remains crucial in underscoring that the implementation of devolution needs to overlook present inconveniences. PIL ensures that the Constitutional framework for devolution is adhered to, strengthening our institutions and achieving the long-term goal of effective service delivery.

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Opportunity at KI:

We are looking for an Office Assistant to support the smooth and efficient operation of the Institution by providing essential administrative, clerical and office support services.

Read the full job description via https://t.co/ncAQOlXvR0

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

“The Constitution of Kenya unlike other jurisdictions provides freedom of media separate from freedom of expression. This was deliberate to underscore the important role of media in our society and safeguard it against interference from all threats.

Our Counsel @SumayyahMokku speaks about how @katibainstitute and its partners support journalists in exercise of their freedom of media under Article 34 of the Constitution.

@mediadefence

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Happy International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent.
@UNHumanRights @ClooneyFDN

#AfricanDescent #IDWGAD2026 #LeadingWithStrength

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

We are currently underway with the Senior Editors’ Forum on Devolution, bringing together senior media stakeholders to discuss key issues relating to devolved governance.

The forum is joined by the @KenyaGovernors, as well as representatives from the @KenyaEditors and @KCA_KENYA.

#MediaAndDevolutionKE

[Front Line Defenders @FrontLineHRD]

🔊 Front Line Defenders is recruiting for a Protection Coordinator for East & Southern Africa. To find out more and apply, see here: https://t.co/ckywk082La

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Katiba Institute to Host Senior Editors Forum on Devolution https://t.co/q3j4scdQf2 #DevolutionKE

[Joshua Malidzo Nyawa @joshuamalidzo]

As someone who stammers and has struggled with public speaking,I'd ask that we be kind to the learned judge. Not everyone is naturally eloquent, especially when delivering a lengthy judgment in a high-profile case. Let's critique the reasoning and not the fluency of its delivery