T A B L E  O F  C O N T E N T S

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS iii
FOREWORD vii
DEDICATION xi
PREFACE xiii

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction 1

CHAPTER TWO:The Kenyan Polity and the Constitution: A Historical Analysis 11
2.1 Introduction 11
2.2 The Constitution of Kenya in Context 13
      2.2.1.1 The Disruptions and Injustices of Colonial Legacy 14
      2.2.1.2 The Illegitimacy of the Independence Constitution 16
      2.2.1.3 The Unfinished Business at Lancaster and Illegitimate Unmaking of the Independence Constitution 17
      2.2.1.4 Emergence of ‘Presidential Imperialism: Politics of Patronage and Centralised Governance 19                                                                                        2.2.2 External Factors 21
      2.2.2.1 The Collapse of the Soviet Union 21
      2.2.2.2 Globalisation and Globalism 22
      2.2.2.3 Decline of Classical Liberal Ideology 26
2.3 Evolution of the Kenyan State: Pre-colonial Period to Present 32
   2.3.1 Colonial Imperialism: 1895-1963 33
   2.3.2 Post-Independence Presidential Imperialism: 1964-1992 34
   2.3.3 Minimal Liberal Democracy: 1992-2010 34
   2.3.4 The Post-2010 era 35
2.4 Conclusion 38

CHAPTER THREE: Evolution, Nature and Scope of Freedom of Expression 39
3.1 Introduction 39
3.2 Historicity of the Freedom of Expression Protection 40
   3.2.1 Origin of Freedom of Expression Generally 40
   3.2.2 The Elevation of Freedom of Expression to the International Law Realm 44
   3.2.3 Freedom of Expression and the Independence Constitution 46
3.3 Freedom of Expression Experiences in Kenya 49
   3.3.1 Freedom of Expression Practices in the Colony: 1895-1963 49
   3.3.2 Freedom of Expression in Post-Colonial Kenya: the Years of KANU Dominance 1963-2002 51
   3.3.3 Freedom of Expression in Post-Colonial Kenya: 2002 to present 63
3.4 Kenya’s International Legal Obligations Relating to Freedom of Expression 71
3.5 Nature, Scope and Components of Freedom of Expression 80
   3.5.1 Structure and Architecture of Freedom of Expression Protection 84                                                                                                                                         3.5.2 Components of Freedom of Expression Protection 87
      3.5.2.1 Freedom to seek, receive or impart information or ideas 87
      3.5.2.2 Freedom of artistic creativity 90
      3.5.2.3 Academic freedom and freedom of scientific research 92
      3.5.2.4 Commercial Expression 99
3.6 Relationship between Freedom of Expression and other Rights 106
3.7 Conclusion 110

CHAPTER FOUR: Theoretical Foundations of the Protection of Freedom of Expression 113
4.1 Introduction 113
4.2 Theoretical Justifications of Freedom of Expression 114
   4.2.1 Truth Theory 114
   4.2.2 Democracy Theory 124
   4.2.3 Human Dignity 131
   4.2.4 Autonomy Theory 138
   4.2.5 Self -fulfillment Theory 142
4.3 Conclusion 146

CHAPTER FIVE: Walking the Tight Rope: Freedom
of Expression Limitations 149
5.1 Introduction 149
5.2 The Nature of Freedom of Expression Limitations 150
   5.2.1 Internal Limits and External Limits 151
   5.2.2 Subsequent Punishment and Prior Restraints 154
5.3 The Balancing Act: Theorising Freedom of Expression Limitations 159
5.4 Political Expression, Limitations and their Justifications 171
   5.4.1 National Security and Public Order 172                                                                                                                                                                                           5.4.2 Rights and Reputation of Others 191
   5.4.3 The Authority and Independence of the Judiciary, the Sub Judice Rule, Contempt of Court and Political Expression 206
5.5 Conclusion 216

CHAPTER SIX: Transformative Constitutionalism, the Constitution of Kenya, and its Promise of Transformation 219
6.1 Introduction 219
6.2 Constitutions as Ideology and Agents of Change 220
6.3 Transformative Constitutionalism in the Context of South Africa 222
6.4 Transformative Constitutionalism: The Central Ideology of Kenya’s Constitution 226
   6.4.1 Transformative Constitutionalism and
Kenya’s Post-2010 Experiences 228
6.4.2 The Transformative Aims of Kenya’s Constitution 232
      6.4.2.1 From Ethical crises to renewal of values 234
      6.4.2.2 Symbolic Casting of a National Vision 235
      6.4.2.3 Regional, Gender and Ethnic Balance and Merit in appointments 237
      6.4.2.4 Mechanisms Designed to Discourage Ethnic Mobilisation 240
      6.4.2.5 From Political Repression to Human Rights Protection and Citizen Emancipation 241
      6.4.2.6 From Despotism, Failed Dysfunctional State Organs to Revitalised Accountable institutions 246
      6.4.2.7 Trimming Presidential Powers, Enhancing Executive and Legislative Accountability and Corresponding Restoration of Parliaments’ Authority 247
       6.4.2.8 Independent and Revitalised Judiciary 250
       6.4.2.9 Accountability Through Independent Offices and Commissions 252                                                                                                                                    6.4.2.10 From Highly Centralised Governance to Devolution 254
      6.4.2.11 Expansion of Democratic Space and Accountability 257
      6.4.2.12 Inclusiveness and National Cohesion 257
      6.4.2.13 Foster Economic Development 258
      6.4.2.14 Equitable Distribution of National Resources 258
      6.4.2.15 Enhanced Service Delivery 259
6.5 Conclusion 259

CHAPTER SEVEN:

The Constitution’s Vision of Political Transformation and the Role of Freedom of Expression 261
7.1 Introduction 261
7.2 Theorizing Political Change and the Law in Kenya: a Shift from ‘Authority’ to ‘Justification’ 262
   7.2.1 Dismantling the vestiges of the colonial and post-colonial despotism 268
   7.2.2 Objectivity in Interpretation and Adjudication of Rights and the Constitution Generally 282
   7.2.3 Proportionality Balancing in Limitation of Rights 290
7.3 The Role of Freedom of Expression in Kenya’s Democratic Edifice 296
   7.3.1 Freedom of Expression as a Legitimating Factor 296
   7.3.2 Freedom of expression as a Facilitating Factor 300
   7.3.3 Freedom of Expression as a Defence Factor 306
7.4 Freedom of Expression and the Enduring Paradox 313
7.5 The Quest for a Plausible Approach 315
7.6 Conclusion 320

CHAPTER EIGHT: Conclusions 323
8.1 Introduction 323
8.2 Key conclusions 324
8.3 Concluding remarks 338

LIST OF INSTRUMENTS 341
LIST OF CASES 345
BIBLIOGRAPHY 353