11. Culture
Official Constitutional Text
11. (1) This Constitution recognises culture as the foundation of the nation and as the cumulative civilization of the Kenyan people and nation.
(2) The State shall—
(a) promote all forms of national and cultural expression through literature, the arts, traditional celebrations, science, communication, information, mass media, publications, libraries and other cultural heritage;
(b) recognise the role of science and indigenous technologies in the development of the nation; and
(c) promote the intellectual property rights of the people of Kenya.
(3) Parliament shall enact legislation to—
(a) ensure that communities receive compensation or royalties for the use of their cultures and cultural heritage; and
(b) recognise and protect the ownership of indigenous seeds and plant varieties, their genetic and diverse characteristics and their use by the communities of Kenya.
Plain English Explanation
This is a simplified summary prepared by legal scholars to explain this article in clear language. It is not the legal text of the Constitution.
This article recognises culture as the foundation of the Kenyan nation.
The government must:
- Promote arts, literature, music, traditional festivals, and cultural heritage
- Support science and indigenous knowledge systems
- Protect the intellectual property rights of Kenyans
It also requires Parliament to make laws that ensure communities are compensated when their culture or traditional knowledge is used, and to protect indigenous seeds and plant varieties.
Related Information
- Relevant to: National Values, National Values and Principles