Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has given President William Ruto an A- rating in her assessment of how key constitutional office holders and institutions have performed 16 years after the promulgation of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
Nyamu shared her scorecard on Thursday, August 27, as Kenya marked the 16th anniversary of the Constitution, saying her assessment was “unbiased” and non-political.
She placed the Judiciary at the top with an A, citing its role in demonstrating that no individual or institution, including the government of the day, is above the Constitution.
The Senate also received an A from Nyamu, who credited the Upper House with consistently defending devolution, protecting county resources and holding county governments accountable.
The Auditor-General was similarly awarded an A for what Nyamu described as its efforts to follow public funds and expose instances where resources had allegedly been wasted, misused or remained unaccounted for.
She gave the Controller of Budget an A-, saying the office had played an important role in protecting public finances and ensuring that public money was not treated as an individual’s personal account.
Ruto Scores A-
President Ruto received an A-, with Nyamu highlighting what she considered his contribution to the implementation of Article 43 of the Constitution.
She specifically cited Universal Health Coverage and affordable housing, as well as the President’s acceptance of electoral victories and defeats during by-elections.
Nyamu also praised Ruto for what she described as allowing a free political and digital space despite sustained criticism of his administration.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta received a B+. Nyamu credited him with respecting the constitutional transfer of power following the 2022 General Election and helping strengthen devolution during its early years.
The Commission on Revenue Allocation received an A- for its role in promoting equitable sharing of national resources and supporting the financial sustainability of devolution.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights also scored an A-, with Nyamu praising it for raising concerns over human rights violations regardless of which administration was in power.
Media and Citizens Praised
Nyamu gave the Kenyan media a B+, describing it as “noisy, fearless and difficult to control”, qualities she said were important in a constitutional democracy.
She awarded Kenyan citizens an A, arguing that voters had demonstrated their constitutional power by electing and removing governments, challenging authority in court and reminding leaders that sovereign power belongs to the people.
Nyamu said Kenyans should undertake their own assessments rather than argue over her rankings.