Constitution and Civics
What the section tests
Constitution and Civics tests the 2010 Constitution, citizens' rights and duties, government structure, devolution, and leadership ethics. Questions often ask which institution or chapter handles a matter.
Core rules
- The 2010 Constitution was promulgated on 27 August 2010. Article 1 vests sovereign power in the people, exercised through elected representatives and directly.
- Chapter Four contains the Bill of Rights; Article 33 protects freedom of expression, but rights can be limited under Article 24 by law and only to the extent justifiable in an open democratic society.
- Government has three arms: executive, legislature, and judiciary. Parliament is bicameral: National Assembly and Senate.
- Devolution created 47 county governments, each with a county assembly and a governor.
- Chapter Six sets leadership and integrity requirements for state officers.
Worked example
A question asks where freedom of expression is protected. The answer is Chapter Four, the Bill of Rights, specifically Article 33. The reasoning is that the Bill of Rights lists civil and political freedoms; Chapter Six concerns leadership, not rights.
Traps
Do not treat rights as absolute; check for lawful limitations. Do not confuse county functions with national functions, or the Senate with the National Assembly. Remember the presidential term limit of two terms. Avoid assuming the 2010 Constitution created the first Parliament; it restructured an existing system.