https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/2750 2026-08-07T04:23:27Z 2026-08-07T04:23:27Z Mwakuni, Leonard Muye https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32496 2026-06-30T13:07:23Z 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z

‘We, the people of Kenya’ as the sovereign in post-2010 constitutional amendments: a comparative approach Mwakuni, Leonard Muye The Constitution of Kenya 2010 dedicates Chapter 16 to its amendments via parliamentary and popular initiative amendments. This research critically analyses the central role of the Kenyan people as the supreme sovereign in post-2010 constitutional amendments using a comparative study of jurisdictions such as India, South Africa and Lithuania. It discusses the constitutional principles: the sovereignty of the people, the supremacy of the Constitution, separation of powers and checks and balances, and transformative constitutionalism vis-à-vis constitutional amendments, the purposive constitutional interpretation of the amendment provisions, the Constitution-making history and its relevance to post-2010 constitutional amendments, the prerequisites in constitutional amendments such as public participation, the delimitation of parliamentary and popular initiative amendments, and the issues arising in post-2010 constitutional amendments such as the basic structure ‘doctrine’, nature of national referendum questions and whether State organs, offices and officers including the President can initiate popular initiative amendments. This critical analysis uses emerging jurisprudence from the superior courts, comparative jurisprudence, and scholarly literature to provide instructive lessons and best international practices in interpreting the amendment provisions. There is also ‘reverse learning’ as the Kenyan jurisprudence is good for foreign jurisdictions such as India, South Africa and Lithuania. The results of this study show that the ordinary Kenyan people are the central actors in constitutional amendments, and parliamentary and popular initiative amendments must comply with constitutional principles and the mandatory procedures set out under Chapter 16 of the 2010 Constitution. The study gives several recommendations, including political goodwill and good political leadership, enactment of the national referendum and public participation legislation, education awareness of the Kenyan people, full implementation of the 2010 Constitution, consistency in developing transformative jurisprudence by superior courts, public interest litigation, strengthening the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, and the amendment to Article 255(1) of the 2010 Constitution to include the Preamble as one of the listed matters. It is firmly believed that the full implementation of these recommendations would go a long way in ensuring that the ordinary Kenyan people are the supreme sovereign as the central promoters of post-2010 constitutional amendments that improve democratic good governance and adjust to positive societal transformations.; Umthethosisekelo waseKenya 2010 unikezela iSahluko 16 ukubheka izichibiyelo zawo ngokusebenzisa izichibiyelo zephalamende nezinguquko ezithandwayo. Lolu cwaningo luhlaziya ngokujulile iqhaza elibalulekile labantu baseKenya abanjengabazimele ezichibiyelweni zomthethosisekelo zangemuva konyaka u-2010 kusetshenziswa ucwaningo oluqhathanisa izindawo ezifana ne-India neNingizimu Afrika. Lolu cwaningo ludingida imigomo yomthethosisekelo, ubukhosi babantu, ubukhulu boMthethosisekelo, ukwehlukaniswa kwamandla, ukubukezwa kanye nokulinganisa kanye nokuguqula umthethosisekelo ngokuchitshiyelwa komthethosisekelo, ukuhunyushwa okuyinhloso kwezihlinzeko zokuchitshiyelwa, umlando wokwenza uMthethosisekelo, kanye nokuhlobana kwayo nezichibiyelo zomthethosisekelo zangemva konyaka ka-2010, izimfuneko ezichibiyelweni zomthethosisekelo ezifana nokubamba iqhaza komphakathi, ukunqunywa kwemingcele yezichibiyelo zephalamende nezinhlelo ezithandwayo, kanye nezindaba eziqubuke ezichibiyelweni zomthethosisekelo zangemva kuka-2010 njenge’mfundiso’ eyisakhiwo esiyisisekelo, uhlobo Iwemibuzo yenhlolovo kanye nokuthi izinhlaka zoMbuso, amahhovisi kanye nezikhulu kubandakanya noMongameli bangakwazi yini ukusungula izichibiyelo ezithandwayo. Lokhu kuhlaziya okubalulekile kusebenzisa ulwazi lwezomthetho olusafufusa oluvela ezinkantolo eziphakeme, umthetho ongokomthetho wokuqhathanisa kanye nezincwadi zezazi ukuze kunikezwe izifundo ezifundisayo kanye nezinqubo ezinhle kakhulu zamazwe ngamazwe ekuchazeni izinhlinzeko zokuchitshiyelwa. Kukhona futhi ‘ukufunda okuhlanekezelwe’ njengoba umthetho waseKenya ulungele izindawo zangaphandle ezifana neNdiya neNingizimu Afrika. Imiphumela yalolu cwaningo ikhombisa ukuthi abantu baseKenya abajwayelekile yibona ababambe iqhaza elikhulu ekuchibiyelweni komthethosisekelo futhi izichibiyelo zePhalamende nezithandwayo kumele zihambisane nemigomo yomthethosisekelo kanye nezinqubo eziyimpoqo ezibekwe ngaphansi kweSahluko 16 soMthethosisekelo ka-2010. Lolu cwaningo lunikeza izincomo eziningana ezihlanganisa ukuthakazelelwa kwezombusazwe kanye nobuholi obuhle bezombusazwe, ukugunyazwa kwenhlolovo kazwelonke kanye nomthetho wokubamba iqhaza komphakathi, ukuqwashisa ngemfundo yabantu baseKenya, ukuqaliswa ngokugcwele koMthethosisekelo we-2010, ukungaguquguquki ekuthuthukiseni umthetho oguqukayo wezinkantolo eziphakeme, ukumangalela izithakazelo zomphakathi, ukuqinisa amakhomishana omthethosisekelo kanye nezichibiyelo zeSigaba 255(1) soMthethosisekelo wezi-2010 ukuze kufake isandulela somthethosisekelo njengolunye lwezindaba ezisohlwini. Kuyathembakala ukuthi ukuqaliswa ngokugcwele izincomo kuzosiza ekuqinisikeni abantu base Kenya ukuthi ibona abangababusi abaphakeme bagqugquzele ukuchitshiyelwa komthethosisekelo wangemva konyaka wezi-2010 ozothuthukisa ukubusa okuhle kwentando yeningi, kanye nokulungisa izinguquko ezinhle emphakathini.; Katiba ya Kenya 2010 imetenga Sura ya 16 kwa marekebisho yake kupitia mpango wa Bunge na mpango maarufu wa wananchi. Utafiti huu unachambua kwa kina jukumu kuu la watu wa Kenya kama wenye mamlaka (nguvu zote) katika marekebisho ya Katiba baada ya 2010 kwa kutumia utafiti wa kulinganisha mamlaka kama vile India, Afrika Kusini na Lithuania. Utafiti huu unajadili kanuni za kikatiba: mamlaka ya wananchi, ukuu wa Katiba, mgawanyo wa madaraka na hundi na mizani, na mabadiliko yanayoletwa na Katiba, tafsiri ya Katiba ya Sura ya 16, historia ya kutengeneza Katiba na umuhimu wake kwa marekebisho ya Katiba baada ya 2010, mahitaji ya marekebisho ya Katiba kama vile ushiriki wa umma, marekebisho ya kupitia mpango wa Bunge na marekebisho ya mpango maarufu wa wananchi, na masuala yanayojitokeza katika marekebisho ya Katiba baada ya 2010 kama vile kanuni ya muundo msingi, asili ya maswali ya kura ya maoni na ikiwa vyombo vya serikali, ofisi na maafisa ikiwa ni pamoja na Rais wanaweza kuanzisha marekebisho ya mpango maarufu wa wananchi. Uchambuzi huu wa kina unatumia maamuzi yanayojitokeza kutoka kwa mahakama za juu, sheria za kulinganisha, na fasihi ya wasomi kutoa masomo ya kufundisha na mazoea bora ya kimataifa katika kutafsiri vifungu vya marekebisho ya Katiba. Pia kuna kujifunza kinyume kama sheria ya Kenya ni nzuri kwa mamlaka za kigeni kama vile India, Afrika Kusini na Lithuania. Matokeo ya utafiti huu yanaonyesha kuwa watu wa kawaida wa Kenya ndio wahusika wakuu katika marekebisho ya Katiba, na marekebisho ya mpango wa Bunge na marekebisho ya mpango maarufu wa wananchi lazima yazingatie kanuni za kikatiba na taratibu za lazima zilizowekwa chini ya Sura ya 16 ya Katiba ya 2010. Utafiti huu unatoa mapendekezo kadhaa ikiwa ni pamoja na nia njema ya kisiasa na uongozi mzuri wa kisiasa, kutungwa kwa sheria ya kura ya maoni na sheria ya ushiriki wa umma, ufahamu wa elimu kwa watu wa Kenya, utekelezaji kamili wa Katiba ya 2010, uthabiti katika kuendeleza maamuzi ya mabadiliko kutoka kwa mahakama za juu, madai ya maslahi ya umma, kuimarisha tume za kikatiba, na marekebisho ya Kifungu cha 255(1) cha Katiba ya 2010 kujumuisha Utangulizi kama moja ya mambo yaliyoorodheshwa. Inaaminika kabisa kwamba utekelezaji kamili wa mapendekezo haya utaenda mbali katika kuhakikisha kwamba watu wa kawaida wa Kenya ni wenye mamlaka kama wahamasishaji wakuu wa marekebisho ya Katiba baada ya 2010 ambayo yanaboresha utawala bora wa kidemokrasia na kurekebisha mabadiliko mazuri ya kijamii. Text in English, with abstract in English, Zulu, Swahili

2024-10-01T00:00:00Z Mukono, Dennis Edwin https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32399 2026-06-30T05:45:01Z 2025-04-01T00:00:00Z

The independence of the judiciary and its role in safeguarding the rule of law and constitutionalism in South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda Mukono, Dennis Edwin The rule of law and constitutionalism are the pillars that support constitutional democracies. It is the judiciary that ensures that the rule of law and constitutionalism remain intact. For the judiciary to do so, it must be independent, therefore the role that an independent judiciary plays cannot be overemphasised. This dissertation examines the independence of the judiciary and its critical role in safeguarding the rule of law and constitutionalism in three selected countries: South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda. The study aims to understand how judicial independence varies in different political and legal contexts and its impact on the upholding of democratic principles. This study also looks at the varying levels of judicial independence of the chosen countries. With its 1996 constitution hailed as one of the most progressive documents, South Africa represents a well-established democracy with a stable legal framework and strong institutions ensuring judicial independence. The study examines how the judiciary in South Africa has been a key pivot of its constitutional democracy in upholding democratic principles, protecting human rights, and ensuring checks and balances within the government. The legacy left by the colonizers in Kenya, particularly when it came to the judiciary, was very poor. They left a weak judiciary, and the post-independence leaders did not do much to change the status quo. The promulgation of the 2010 Kenyan constitution was welcomed and timely. It reduced arbitrariness in governance and established an independent judiciary. This research focuses on some successes and challenges of Kenya's judiciary in maintaining and upholding the rule of law despite political pressures. Uganda offers a contrasting perspective with its judiciary operating in an environment where there are several challenges that include authoritarian tendencies, the shrinking of political and civic spaces, and the ongoing frustration of the judiciary to achieve full judicial independence. The study investigates the judiciary's efforts to uphold constitutionalism and the rule of law amidst executive interference and systemic challenges. This research highlights the effect that the constitutions of the featured countries have on their respective judiciaries. The study focuses on a number of factors, including models of funding, the effect of politics and ideology on the judiciary, transformative constitutionalism, etc. The study also explores the mechanisms implemented to strengthen judicial independence and its effectiveness in promoting justice and accountability. The research provides insights into the critical role of an independent judiciary in maintaining the balance of power, protecting human rights, and maintaining democratic stability. The findings underscore the need for continuous efforts to maintain judicial independence as a means of ensuring the rule of law and upholding constitutional governance in South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda.; Utawala wa sheria na Ukatiba ndio nguzo ambazo demokrasia ya kikatiba inaegemea. Mahakama inajukumu la kuhahakikisha kwamba utawala wa sheria na ukatiba vinadumu. Ili mahakama iweze kufanya hivyo, ni lazima iwe huru, hivyo basi, jukumu ambalo mahakama huru inatekeleza ni la muhimu sana. Tasnifu hii inachunguza uhuru wa mahakama na jukumu lake muhimu katika kulinda utawala wa sheria na ukatiba katika nchi tatu zilizochaguliwa: Afrika Kusini, Kenya na Uganda. Utafiti huu unalenga kuelewa jinsi uhuru wa mahakama unavyotofautiana katika miktadha tofauti ya kisiasa na kisheria na athari zake katika kuzingatia kanuni za kidemokrasia. Utafiti huu pia unachunguza viwango tofauti vya uhuru wa mahakama katika nchi zilizochaguliwa. Katiba ya Afrika Kusini ya 1996 inasifiwa kama moja wepo ya nyaraka zenye mwelekeo mzuri zaidi, Afrika Kusini inawakilisha demokrasia iliyoimarika na mfumo thabiti wa kisheria na taasisi imara zinazohakikisha uhuru wa mahakama. Utafiti huu unachunguza jinsi mahakama nchini Afrika Kusini imekuwa nguzo kuu ya demokrasia yao ya kikatiba katika kuzingatia kanuni za kidemokrasia, kulinda haki za binadamu, na kuhakikisha udhibiti na usawa ndani ya serikali. Urithi ulioachwa na wakoloni nchini Kenya ikija kwa suala la mahakama ulikuwa duni sana. Waliacha mahakama dhaifu na viongozi waliokuja madarakani baada ya uhuru hawakufanya jitihada kubadilisha hali hiyo ilivyokuwa na kuleta mabadiliko. Kutangazwa na kuweko rasmi wa katiba ya Kenya ya 2010 lilikuwa ni jambo lililopokelewa na lililofika kwa wakati muafaka. Ilipunguza ubadhilifu katika utawala, na ilichangia kwa kuwepo ama kuanzisha mahakama huru. Utafiti huu unaangazia baadhi ya mafanikio na changamoto za mahakama ya Kenya katika kudumisha na kuzingatia utawala wa sheria licha ya mashinikizo ya kisiasa. Uganda inatoa mtazamo tofauti, mahakama yake inafanya kazi katika mazingira yenye changamoto kadhaa kutoka kwenye serikali yao, baadhi yake zikiwa ni, mwelekeo wa kiimla, kusinyaa kwa nafasi za kisiasa na kiraia, na mkanganyiko wa mahakama kufikia uhuru kamili. Utafiti huu unachunguza juhudi za mahakama Text in English with abstract in English and Kiswahili

2025-04-01T00:00:00Z Mugejo, Livit https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32378 2026-05-05T08:23:36Z 2025-06-30T00:00:00Z

A critical analysis of immunity extended to the spouses of the heads of state Mugejo, Livit

2025-06-30T00:00:00Z Ramatsoele, Pitso Petrus https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/31711 2024-10-11T06:40:45Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

The South African police service from parliamentary sovereignty to constitutional supremacy and law enforcement challenges under the 1996 constitution Ramatsoele, Pitso Petrus This thesis is centered on a major research question: What has been the path of the South African Police (SAP) from parliamentary sovereignty to constitutional supremacy? How can constitutionalism, the rule of law, and democracy assist in transforming legislation and the police to eliminate law enforcement challenges under the 1996 Constitution? The significance of the problem and its implications impact on the lives of all South Africans. This thesis explores the degree to which constitutionalism, the rule of law, and democracy are adapting unjust laws. The assumption is that all legislation must comply with the Constitution. The thesis is based on legal methodology and includes theoretical, conceptual, and philosophical analysis. It is analytical and resorts to both desktop and library research. This includes a comprehensive literature review and a review of the 1996 Constitution, selected pieces of legislation, case law, and comparative law. The thesis consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 is the general introduction that introduces the reader to the research study. Chapter 2 examines the theories that are important and relevant to the study. Chapter 3 investigates the transition of the SAPS from the previous system of parliementary sovrreignty to the current legal order based on constitutional sovereignty. Chapter 4 reflects on law and enforcement challenges under the 1996 Constitution. Chapter 5 concludes with findings and recommendations. The thesis makes a valuable contribution to knowledge on South African constitutional law by examining constitutionalism, democracy and the rule of law and its impact on the transformation of the SAPS under the 1996 Constitution.

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z