TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title ___________________ _
Declaration ________________________________ u
Approval ________________________________ l!I
Dedication II' ------------------------------- Aclmowledgements ______________________ . ____ ·-···-____ .v
Abstract ------------------------------- Table of contents. _______________________ _
CHAPTER ONE
VI
______ vii
1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................ 1
l.l Bacl•ground ......................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the problem ........................................................................ S
1.3 Pm·pose of the study .............................................................................. S
1 A Research questions .................................................................................. 5
l.S Objectives of the study .............................................................................. 6
!.6 Scope of the study ................................................................................. 6
1. 7 .Justification of the study ......................................................................... 6
1.8 Literature review .................................................................................. ?
1.9 Methodology ........................................................................................ 9
3.1 Library research ................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Background to the concept of Popular Sovereignty and individualliberty ............ .l 0
2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 1 0
2.2 Popular Sovereignty and individualliberty ................................................. l2
2.3 Nature and character of a constitution in relation to the populace Sovcreignty ....... 15
2.3.1 Sovereignty as a constituent founder .......................................................... 17
2.3.2 The concept of democracy ......................................................................... 19
2.3.3 The Sovereign behind the legislature ........................................................... 22
2.4 Constitution and Constitutionalism ............................................................ 24
V!l
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Methodology .......•................................................................................. 26
3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 26
3.2 Research design .................................................................................... 26
3.3 Study population ................................................................................... 26
3.4 Sample design ........................................................................................ 27
3.5 Data collection ..............................•........................................................ 27
3.6 Questionnaires ....................................................................................... 27
3.7 Data processing and analysis ..................................................................... 28
3.8 Limitations of the study ........................................................................... 28
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 The Legislative framework for the exercise of the Sovereign power of the
people ............................................................................................... 29
4.1 The Preamble and the Sovereignty of the peoplc ......................................... 29
4.2 Oath of office of a State Officer .............................................................. 30
4.3 I' a rticipation oft he people in governance .................................................. 31
-1.4 Exercise of sovereign power at National level. ............................................ 32
~.,i.J Qualification for the Election as a Member of Parliament and the mode of
Election ............................................................................................. 33
4A.2 Qualifications for the Election as a President and the mode of
Election ............................................................................................. 34
4.5 Exercise of Sovereign power at County level ............................................... 36
4.5.1 Qualification for election as a member of County Assembly ........................... 36
4.6 The Mechanism fot· the control and principle of Representatives of the pcoplc .... 38
4.6.1 The National values and principles of Governance in ensuring Accountability ..... 38
4.6.2 Participation in periodic Election ............................................................. 39
4.6.3 The Right ofReca11 .............................................................................. .42
4.7 Functional Distribution of Services and Cooperation between the level of
Government ...................................... ···~· ............................................ .42
4. 7.1 The concept of Devolution under the constitution of Kenya 201 0 ....................... 42
4.7.2 Functional distribution and cooperation between the two level of
government.. ....................................................................................... 44
4.7.3 The Equalization funds ........................................................................... 49
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................. 51
Vi!!
5.1 Summary and Conclusions ...................................................... , ............... 51
5.2 Rccommcndations .................................................................................. 51
5.2.1 Local Government Vs Counties ................................................................. 51
5.2.2 Referendums ....................................................................................... 52
5.2.3 Powers of County Government.. .............................................................. 52
5.2.4 Exclusion of the political rights as provided for under article 38 from the operation
of article 24 on limitations ...................................................................... 53
BIBLIOGRAHPY .......................................................................................... 54
ABSTRACT On the 5'h August 2010 Kenyans adopted a new Constitution by the approval of nearly 70% of the voters. On the 27'11 August of the same year the constitution was promulgated. This constitution is the result of the struggle of millions of Kenyans to bring about fundamental political, social, and economic reforms. Many people paid heavy price for this constitution. They were tortured, beaten up, detained, separated from their loved ones and even exiled so that others may have the chance to live a life in freedom and dignity. Inspired by a vision of unity, peace, inclusiveness, human rights, and participatory democracy. social justice and integrity and by their persistence, the people have achieved a constitution based on these values. The constitution aims at equal rights of all Kenyans, especially women, the disabled. and those marginalized in any ways. It promises everyone the basic necessities of life. such as food, heath care, housing, water and clean environment by their own e!T011s and with assistance from the government. It makes the government through the president. ministers and other stale officials accountable to the people- the source of all sovereign power. This paper therefore takes a look on the principles of the doctrine of populace Sovereignty and how it has been entrenched in the new Kenyan Constitution of 2010 and how such power can be achieved and be protected by the people to which it's derived.