Kenyan Constitution: Chapter Four, Part 2, Articles 29 to 33

Rights and fundamental freedoms

Article 29

Every person has the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right not to be–

(a) deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause;
(b) detained without trial, except during a state of emergency, in which case the detention is subject to Article 58;
(c) subjected to any form of violence from either public or private sources;
(d) subjected to torture in any manner, whether physical or psychological;
(e) subjected to corporal punishment; or
(f) treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner.

Article 30

(1) A person shall not be held in slavery or servitude.

(2) A person shall not be required to perform forced labor.

Article 31

Every person has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have–

(a) their person, home or property searched;
(b) their possessions seized;
(c) information relating to their family or private affairs unnecessarily required or revealed; or
(d) the privacy of their communications infringed.

Article 32

1. Every person has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.
2. Every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in public or in private, to manifest any religion or belief through worship, practice, teaching or observance, including observance of a day of worship.
3. A person may not be denied access to any institution, employment or facility, or the enjoyment of any right, because of the person’s belief or religion.
4. A person shall not be compelled to act, or engage in any act, that is contrary to the person’s belief or religion.

Article 33

(1) Every person has the right to freedom of expression, which includes–

(a) freedom to seek, receive or impart information or ideas;
(b) freedom of artistic creativity; and
(c) academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.

(2) The right to freedom of expression does not extend to–

(a) propaganda for war;
(b) incitement to violence;
(c) hate speech; or
(d) advocacy of hatred that—

(i) constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others or incitement to cause harm; or
(ii) is based on any ground of discrimination specified or contemplated in Article 27 (4).

(3) In the exercise of the right to freedom of expression, every person shall respect the rights and reputation of others.

Read:

• Kenyan Constitution: Chapter Four, Part 2, Articles 26 to 28
• Kenyan Constitution: Chapter Four, Part 1 Articles 22 to 23