Chapter 4, Part 2 · Art. 40

Protection of right to property

2010-as-amended · effective 2010-08-27

Official text

(1) Subject to Article 65, every person has the right, either individually or in association with others, to acquire and own property—
  (a) of any description; and
  (b) in any part of Kenya.
(2) Parliament shall not enact a law that permits the State or any person—
  (a) to arbitrarily deprive a person of property of any description or of any interest in, or right over, any property of any description; or
  (b) to limit, or in any way restrict the enjoyment of any right under this Article on the basis of any of the grounds specified or contemplated in Article 27(4).
(3) The State shall not deprive a person of property of any description, or of any interest in, or right over, property of any description, unless the deprivation—
  (a) results from an acquisition of land or an interest in land or a conversion of an interest in land, or title to land, in accordance with Chapter Five; or
  (b) is for a public purpose or in the public interest and is carried out in accordance with this Constitution and any Act of Parliament that—
    (i) requires prompt payment in full, of just compensation to the person; and
    (ii) allows any person who has an interest in, or right over, that property a right of access to a court of law.
(4) Provision may be made for compensation to be paid to occupants in good faith of land acquired under clause (3) who may not hold title to the land.
(5) The State shall support, promote and protect the intellectual property rights of the people of Kenya.
(6) The rights under this Article do not extend to any property that has been found to have been unlawfully acquired.

In simple words

You can own property anywhere in Kenya.
Art. 40(1)
(1) Subject to Article 65, every person has the right, either individually or in association with others, to acquire and own property— (a) of any description; and (b) in any part of Kenya.
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The State may not take your property unless it is for a public purpose and you are paid fair compensation promptly.
Art. 40(3)(b)
(b) is for a public purpose or in the public interest and is carried out in accordance with this Constitution and any Act of Parliament that—
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Property that was obtained unlawfully is not protected by this right.
Art. 40(6)
(6) The rights under this Article do not extend to any property that has been found to have been unlawfully acquired.
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Kids explanation

You can own things. No one should take your things without a good reason and without paying you.
Art. 40(3)(b)
(b) is for a public purpose or in the public interest and is carried out in accordance with this Constitution and any Act of Parliament that—
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