President William Ruto has sparked a debate on social media after he designated August 27 as Katiba Day to commemorate the promulgation of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
The Head of State, in a Presidential Proclamation on Monday, August 25, announced that Katiba Day will be dedicated to renewing the nation’s commitment to the ideals of the Constitution by fostering national dialogue on constitutionalism, governance, and the rule of law.
“I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby proclaim that 27th August, 2025, and every 27th Day in the Month of August forever thereafter shall be observed as “Katiba Day” in commemoration of the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” read the presidential proclamation in part.
President Ruto, however, said Katiba Day will remain a working day in the country, adding that it should be observed across the Kenyan territory and in all the Kenyan Diplomatic missions abroad.
“While Katiba Day shall remain a working day, all government institutions in the three arms of government and the two levels of governance, including schools, shall organize, hold, and participate in solemn civic activities on that Day to foster constitutional awareness and civic engagement,” Ruto added.
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The presidential proclamation announcing Katiba Day drew criticism from Kenyans online after they noted that the day would remain a normal working day and not a national holiday.
A section of the netizens also questioned why President Ruto declared August 27 as Katiba Day, yet he was among the politicians who opposed the 2010 constitution during the referendum campaign.
However, other social media users welcomed the declaration, terming it a noble idea to celebrate constitutionalism.
Below are some of the reactions from Kenyans to the proclamation of August 27 as Katiba Day.
