Kenyans Push for Constitutional Education in Schools After Deadly 2024 Protests

A citizen-led campaign demanding that Kenya’s Constitution become compulsory learning across all education levels has attracted nearly 10,000 signatures in less than two months, reflecting growing public demand for civic empowerment.

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The petition, launched September 24 under the hashtag #Katibashuleni2026, calls on Parliament to pass legislation making constitutional education mandatory from primary school through university, with implementation targeted for the 2026/27 academic year.

Born From Violence

The movement emerged directly from the trauma of June 2024, when nationwide demonstrations against proposed tax increases turned deadly. More than 60 people lost their lives in clashes between protesters and security forces, marking one of the bloodiest periods of civil unrest in recent Kenyan history.

Organizers argue that widespread ignorance of constitutional rights and government accountability mechanisms allowed the violence to escalate. They contend that a citizenry educated in constitutional principles would be better equipped to challenge government overreach through legal channels rather than street confrontations.

“We lost lives because Kenyans didn’t know their rights, didn’t understand how to hold leaders accountable within the law,” said petition organizers in their campaign materials. The proposed Katiba Shuleni 2026 Act—”Constitution in Schools”—aims to close that knowledge gap.

High-Profile Backing

The campaign has secured endorsements from influential figures including former Chief Justice David Maraga, whose support lends judicial credibility to the initiative. Journalist Cyprian Nyakundi has also thrown his weight behind the petition, helping amplify its reach on social media platforms.

Proponents say constitutional literacy could transform Kenya’s political culture by creating an informed electorate capable of recognizing and resisting attempts to concentrate power or violate democratic norms. They also argue it could reduce ethnic polarization by fostering shared national values rooted in constitutional principles rather than tribal identity.

“When young people understand their Constitution, they understand they’re Kenyans first,” supporters maintain, suggesting civic education could serve as a bulwark against the ethnic mobilization that has historically fueled political violence.

Implementation Hurdles

Despite its momentum, the proposal faces practical obstacles. Kenya’s education system is currently implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum, an ongoing reform that has already stretched teacher capacity and resources thin.

Critics question how schools would absorb another mandatory subject without additional funding for teacher training, curriculum development, and learning materials. The timeline appears particularly ambitious given that comprehensive implementation would need to begin within roughly 18 months.

There are also questions about curriculum design: what aspects of constitutional law are appropriate for primary students versus university scholars? How would teaching be assessed? And would the subject receive the same weight as mathematics or languages in national examinations?

The petition’s 9,800 signatures represent a fraction of Kenya’s 53 million population, though organizers note the figure continues climbing and reflects genuine grassroots sentiment rather than institutional backing.

Parliament has not yet formally responded to the petition or indicated whether it will consider drafting the proposed legislation. Under Kenyan law, public petitions require parliamentary consideration, though lawmakers retain discretion over whether to act on them.

The campaign continues to gather signatures as organizers prepare to present their case to relevant parliamentary committees in the coming weeks.

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