This year, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) joins the global community in celebrating albinism awareness under the theme “10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress.” This theme celebrates progress made and calls for continued commitment to ensure the rights of people with albinism. Articles 27 and 54 of the Kenyan Constitution emphasize equality and non-discrimination, guaranteeing equal treatment and opportunities for persons with disabilities, including those with albinism.
On December 18th, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) to raise global awareness about albinism, a genetic condition affecting melanin production in the skin, hair and eyes.
The 2024 theme underscores the importance of inclusivity, celebrating the involvement of youth, women, children, older persons and people with albinism from diverse backgrounds in decision- making processes that affect them. Significant progress has been made in Kenya, including the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, which, for the first time, included albinism as a disability category, revealing at least 9,729 persons with albinism in Kenya. This aligns with Article 35, which ensures the right to access information, and helps in planning and resource allocation for persons with albinism.
Despite progress, a 2022 study by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights found that myths and misconceptions about albinism persist, leading to poverty and exclusion. Key areas requiring attention include the rights to life, health, education, economic empowerment, and access to justice, as enshrined in Articles 26, 43, 53, and 48 of the Constitution.
The Commission acknowledges the development of the Kenya National Action Plan on Albinism 2023-2028, in collaboration with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), aiming to mirror the regional and global action plans. KNCHR urges its swift adoption and implementation to protect the rights of persons with albinism. This Action Plan mirrors the Regional Action Plan on Albinism in Africa 2017-2021 and the African Union Plan of Action to End Attacks and Other Human Rights Violations Targeting Persons with Albinism in Africa (2021- 2031).
Additionally, KNCHR welcomes the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2023, which recognizes albinism as a disability and calls for its prompt enactment by Parliament. This supports the constitutional mandate of Article 54, ensuring the protection and inclusion of persons with disabilities. As we commemorate this day, the KNCHR calls for enhanced inclusion of persons with albinism in Kenya's socio-economic, cultural, and political spheres, ensuring they enjoy full and equal rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
The Commission therefore makes the following recommendations:
- Expedite Action Plan Adoption: The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Labor and Social Protection should swiftly adopt and implement the Kenya National Action Plan on Albinism 2023-2028.
- Implement UN Recommendations: The Government should implement the recommendations made by the former UN Independent Expert on the human rights of persons with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero, from her 2019 visit to Kenya.
- Establish Taskforce and Appoint an Advisor on Albinism: The Government should establish a taskforce on albinism and appoint a Special Advisor on Albinism.
- Ensure Disability Representation: In line with the constitutional requirement for at least 5% representation of persons with disabilities in elective and appointive bodies, persons with albinism should be considered based on merit.
- Enhance Resource Allocation: Increase funding for the National Albinism Sunscreen Support Programme (NASSP) under the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
- Educational Support and Sensitization: The Ministry of Education, KICD, KNEC, schools, and technical institutions should raise awareness about albinism and provide reasonable accommodations to ensure inclusive participation of learners and trainees with albinism.
- Awareness Campaigns: Both State and non-State actors should intensify efforts in awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons with albinism.
- Law Enforcement: Law enforcement agencies should deter, investigate, and prosecute perpetrators of ritual attacks targeting persons with albinism.
As the National Human Rights Institution, the Commission is dedicated to advancing and safeguarding the rights of persons with albinism. This commitment is pursued through collaboration with various duty bearers, handling complaints and conducting investigations, raising public awareness, conducting evidence-based research, engaging in strategic public interest litigation and reporting under international treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Roseline Odede, HSC
Chairperson
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights