Kabarak Law School has convened a three-day conference—Katiba @15 Commemoration Conference—to mark the fifteenth anniversary of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. Themed “Bill of Rights: A Critical Reflection on Constitutional Transformation in Kenya,” the conference offers a platform to critically examine all 40 provisions of the Bill of Rights through daily thematic discussions.
The conference opened on 25 August 2025 with a devotional session led by Adeline Chelagat, a final-year student at Kabarak Law School, and Dr. Reuben Kigame, a renowned gospel artist and social justice advocate. Dr. Kigame reflected on faith as a source of courage and recounted his personal journey in promoting justice and constitutional values, setting a tone of conviction and purpose for the days ahead.
Dr Reuben Kigame
In his welcoming remarks, Professor J. Osogo Ambani, Dean of Kabarak Law School, shared both personal and scholarly reflections on Constitutional Law. He paid tribute to Honourable Gitobu Imanyara, the keynote speaker, whose public service and unwavering defence of rights inspired his own academic path. Professor Ambani situated the conference within the broader struggle for justice and civic engagement, thanking guests—especially the local community—for turning up in large numbers and encouraging their active participation.
Prof Osogo Ambani
Dr Stephanie Rothenberger
Also delivering opening remarks was Dr. Stephanie Rothenberger, Director of the Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. She spoke about her professional encounters with Kenyans’ resilience in claiming their rights, highlighting the importance of international solidarity and cross-border learning in advancing democratic governance.
The keynote address was delivered by Hon. Gitobu Imanyara, a distinguished figure in Kenya’s constitutional history. Drawing on decades of activism, Hon. Imanyara emphasised the responsibilities that accompany the enjoyment of rights and the need for constant vigilance in protecting democratic space. A lively Q&A session followed, allowing attendees—including law students and community members—to engage him on both historic and contemporary governance challenges. He was joined by Mr. Evans Ogada, a leading constitutional lawyer, who helped clarify key points and link them to current practice.
Hon Gitobu Imanyara delivers keynote speech
Following the opening ceremony, the conference transitioned into panel discussions held in breakout rooms to enable deeper reflection on the Bill of Rights:
Panel 1 focused on Articles 19 to 22, under the moderation of Mr. Dennis Nkarichia, Adjunct Lecturer at Kabarak Law School.
- Panel 2, facilitated by Mr. Evans Ogada, delved into Articles 23 to 26, exploring the scope and limits of constitutional remedies and rights enforcement.
- Panel 3, led by Mr. Ochiel Dudley, Head of Dispute Resolution at Bond Advocates LLP, addressed Articles 27, 28, 29, and 32 with a special focus on equality and human dignity.
- Panel 4, co-moderated by Dr. Harrison Mbori (Adjunct Lecturer at Kabarak Law School) and Mr. Walter Khobe (Legal Counsel in the Office of the Chief Justice), examined Articles 33 to 37 on the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.
The first day of Katiba @15 was a rich blend of devotion, reflection, instruction, and debate. Participants left with a clearer understanding of the constitutional architecture of rights and a renewed commitment to promoting constitutionalism within their communities.
