| Press Release:A call to public participation in the vetting of cabinet secretary nominees - Thursday, April 25, 2013On March 8th 2013, as part of our 10 point human rights agenda for the government, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights made a call through an advertorial that all appointments to public office be made in accordance with the constitution.
We are encouraged that in the ongoing nominations to the office of cabinet secretary, there is a deliberate attempt by the President to infuse professionalism, regional balance, and most importantly gender considerations.
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| KNCHR Press release on demands for salary increase by recently elected state officers - Friday, April 19, 2013The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) once again expresses its concern regarding the ongoing agitation for salary increase by recently elected state officers. We further condemn the apparent bullying and threats to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) which is constitutionally mandated to set and regulate salaries and benefits for State and Public Officers. read more ... |
| PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PERIODIC UPDATE ON HOTSPOTS AND CAMPAIGN MONITORING: THE FINAL CALL - Wednesday, February 27, 2013The Commission releases this final update to inform Kenyans of their conduct and behavior during the ongoing campaigns (as detailed in the report) and to appeal to the nation of our collective responsibility to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.
The Commission is encouraged by the many initiatives and efforts being undertaken by various stakeholders and by ordinary Kenyans all over to foster peace during the electioneering period. The coming together of the main political leaders during the two key presidential debates and their pledge to peace during the National Prayer Meeting at Uhuru Park last Sunday is commendable and will hopefully jell Kenyans to maintain peace during the elections. read more ... |
| KNCHR Election Monitoring Progess Statement - Thursday, February 21, 2013Ladies and gentlemen, it is seventeen days to one the most historic elections in our country. We join other stakeholders in voicing the following concerns relating to the ongoing electoral process:
It is evident that our actions, both as institutions and individuals, appear not be informed by the lessons of the past. Repeatedly we have been urged, including by our international partners that we are at a defining moment in terms of the growth of our democracy and realization of our constitutional aspirations.See the preliminary report(download here) for more detailed information.
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| Press Statement by KNCHR on Monitoring Of the Political Parties Nominations - Friday, January 25, 2013The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) monitored the just ended political parties’ nominations to assess the level of participation by members of the public as well as transparency and accountability in the nomination process. KNCHR monitored both the political parties’ pre-nominations activities as well as the actual nominations exercise to ensure they were within the law, the political parties’ regulations and in consonance with free and fair elections.
KNCHR witnessed a number of malpractices and serious offences in various parts of the country during the exercise. One of the main concerns is incidences of civilians arming themselves with crude weapons. In Kisumu for instance, a supporter of one of the aspirants was arrested for allegedly having purchased some 100 machetes. A follow-up with the Kisumu OCPD did not reveal any information. We urge the security agencies to take up such matters with the seriousness they deserve so as to avoid a reoccurrence of the 2007 post-election violence.
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| PRESS STAMENT BY KNCHR ON CIVILIANS AND POLICE BRUTALITY - Wednesday, November 21, 2012The Commission calls the government’s attention to the worrying security situation in the country that is spiraling out of control.Within the last 6 months, the country has witnessed an unprecedented upsurge in violence that has claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent Kenyans, both civilians and law enforcement officers.
In September 2012 in Tana Delta more than 100 civilians and 9 Law enforcement officers were brutally murdered in an orgy of violence that pitted two communities against each other. In Mombasa scores of Police and Prisons Officers were killed/ injured following attacks on law enforcement officers during the riots that followed the Killing of Muslim cleric Sheikh Aboud Rogo. Hardly a week ago, were more than 50 police officers mowed down by cattle rustlers in Suguta valley, in a botched security operation in Baragoi
Since the beginning of Operation Linda Nchi in October 2011, scores of police officers have been killed and others injured in attacks that involved the use of grenades, land mines, IEDs or fire arms by suspected Al-shabab sympathizers within the Country.
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| PRESS STATEMENT BY KNCHR:PUBLIC APOLOGIES IN THE FACE OF DEATH ARE UNACCEPTABLE - Wednesday, September 26, 2012The Kenya National Commission Human Rights has noted the creeping trend where politicians offer mere public apologies that threaten the enjoyment of human rights, especially as we head to the general elections next year.
On Monday, Kenyans were treated to shocking public utterances, under the watch of the police, by Embakasi MP Hon. Ferdinand Waititu calling for the eviction of members of the Maa community from Kayole area. The consequences of the utterances were the loss of two lives, injury to many, destruction of property, widespread looting and threat to national cohesion and inter - ethnic peace in the country.
While making a public apology in television, the Member of Parliament turned a cheek on the media whom he claims have blown the issue out of proportion to ‘finish his political career in favour of one of his opponents’.
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| JOINT PRESS STATEMENT: FAST-TRACK POLICE REFORMS FOR EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT & ACCOUNTABLE POLICING - Wednesday, September 19, 2012We the undersigned human rights and governance organizations convey our deepest condolence and sympathy to all the relatives and families of our fellow citizens who had died, and others who sustained serious injuries and massive destruction of property in recent incidences of violence in various parts of the country, including civilians and police officers.
We note with great exception that in the recent months, the country has witnessed several incidences of fatal armed conflict in several districts in the country, namely Muhoroni, Mandera, Wajir, Turkana, Isiolo, West Pokot, Baringo, Mombasa and the most recent in Tana River. In all these cases the result has been indiscriminate loss of lives and property, injuries, displacement and suffering to thousands of innocent Kenyans.
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| PRESS STATEMENT BY KNCHR ON THE SPIRALLING INSECURITY IN THE COUNTRY - Friday, August 24, 2012The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is deeply concerned by the latest wave of insecurity engulfing various parts of the country that has greatly impacted on the protection and enjoyment of human rights. In the past two weeks, this ongoing orgy of violence has resulted in the loss of over 70 lives, massive displacement, widespread destruction of property and immense loss of livelihoods. The Commission underscores the plight of women and children, the elderly and persons with disabilities who continue to bear the greatest brunt of the effects of the cyclic conflict. read more ... |
| PRESS STATEMENT BY KPTJ: CIVIL SOCIETY SAYS NO! TO FURTHER EXTENSION OF TJRC MANDATE - Sunday, August 05, 2012Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ) together with the Kenya Transitional Justice Network wish to express our serious concern with the failure of Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to release its report on August 3rd 2012 as mandated by the Law.
The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) was established as part of the Agenda Four of the National Reconciliation and Dialogue Accord, with the objective of promoting peace, justice, national unity, healing, reconciliation and dignity among the people of Kenya, a mandate derived from the TJRC Act of 2008. read more ... |
| JOINT PRESS STATEMENTBY ARTICLE 59 COMMISSIONS ON THE MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENT BILL (2012) - Thursday, June 21, 2012We are greatly disturbed by the move by the National Assembly to use the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2012 to amend a number of provisions of the Elections and Political Parties Acts in contravention of the Letter and Spirit of the Constitution.
Whereas we acknowledge that it is within the province of the National Assembly to make and amend legislation, it is our considered view that in this particular case some of the proposed amendments are clearly not intended for the purpose of reforming the law but are purely designed to secure the personal interest of currently serving Members of Parliament. read more ... |
| PRESS STATEMENT ON VIOLATION OF KENYAN CITIZENS’ CONSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS - Thursday, May 31, 2012Early April 2012, at the height of the political registration exercise, the media reported complaints from various individuals who had found their names registered in political parties they are not affiliated to.
Since then the office of the registrar of political parties has consistently given warnings to various political parties that if found flouting rules and perpetrating conduct contrary to the political parties act, there would be consequences. read more ... |
| PRESS STATEMENT BY KNCHR ON THE ATTEMPT TO MOVE POST ELECTION VIOLENCE CASES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL - Monday, April 30, 2012On 26th April 2012, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) endorsed a motion urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to transfer the trials of the four Kenyans suspects charged with post election violence crimes from its jurisdiction to the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). read more ... |
| PRESS STATEMENT ON TORTURE BY STATE SECURITY AGENTS - Wednesday, April 11, 2012The footage that was shown on TV on the Eve of Easter holidays united the entire nation in horror and disgust at the brutality meted on a young man by Police Officers; viewers had been informed that the incidence had recently occurred in Turkana, but the Police Commissioner clarified that incidence happened in Trans Nzoia in 2009. read more ... |
| PRESS STATEMENT ON KNCHR SUPPORT FOR COMMISSION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONSTITUTION - Tuesday, July 12, 2011The attention of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is drawn to media reports on July 11th and July 12, 2011, of a dispute between the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and the Government over the remuneration of CIC officers. The dispute involves a disagreement over salaries for CIC, which we are informed, have not been paid for seven months and which the Government through the Head of the Civil Service, Amb. Francis Muthaura and the Government Spokesman, Dr Alfred Mutua, says are above the normal rates paid to other State officers. read more ... |
| PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ON ONGOING POLICE VETTING - Friday, June 10, 2011Various news media have in the last few days reported that the Kenya Police is conducting a vetting exercise for its officers countrywide. According to the media reports, vetting began this week and will end next week. The Justice Phillip Ransley Task Force Report of 2009 recommended vetting of police. We would like to state the following: read more ... |
| PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMONSTRATION BY PERSONS WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES - Friday, April 01, 2011The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is concerned about a demonstration on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, by parents of children with mental disabilities at the Ministry of Gender in Nairobi. The Kenya Society of the Mentally Handicapped, which organized the demonstration, said the Ministry of Finance was withholding Sh700 million meant for persons with disabilities, and threatened to mobilize parents for another demonstration. read more ... |
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