KNCHR'S COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY ON ETHNIC MINORITIES AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES:
The National Commission is mandated under Article 249 to secure observance by all state organs of democratic values and principles and to promote constitutionalism. Article 10 of the Constitution requires all state organs to ensure they uphold constitutionalism and the rule of law whenever they make public policy decisions or interpret the Constitution. One of the strategies pursued by the National Commission to secure observance by all state organs of democratic values and principles is through the issuance of advisories. It is in this regard that the Commission submits its advisory (comments) on the Draft National Policy on Ethnic Minorities and Marginalized Communities. Read more....
A DECISION OF THE AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS IN ARUSHA, 4TH DECEMBER 2025:
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Court) delivered an Order (compliance) in the case of African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights v. Republic of Kenya. The Order was delivered following a compliance hearing held on 4 June 2025 which hearing was organised by the Court acting suo motu but also on the request of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (“the Applicant” or “the Commission”) which had filed an initial Application before the Court against the Republic of Kenya (“the Respondent State”) in 2012. In its Judgment on the Merits delivered on 26 May 2017, the Court found that the Respondent State violated Articles 1, 2, 8, 14, 17(2), 17(3), 21 and 22 of the Charter. Read more...
PARTNERSHIPS FOR BETTER DATA AVAILABILITY AND USE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN KENYA
In February 2024, the Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA) met with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), the SDG Kenya Forum, and the United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD) to discuss how to improve data on Indigenous Peoples in Kenya. The workshop was also meant to raise awareness about the data generated by the Indigenous communities using the framework of the Indigenous Navigator1. It took place at Naivasha in Kenya and was organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) in collaboration with ILEPA and KNCHR. The workshop facilitated a dialogue to address gaps and explore the synergies between data from traditional and non-traditional sources. Additionally, it served as a starting point for the stakeholders to plan a cross-sectoral collaboration on Indigenous Peoples data. Read More....
THE REPORT OF THE HIGH LEVEL INDEPENDENT FACT-FINDING MISSION TO EMBOBUT FOREST IN ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY
KNCHR deployed a High-Level Independent Fact- Finding mission into the allegations of inhumane and violent evictions against forest dwelling communities, and particular members of the Sengwer Community, in relation to Embobut Forest. The said violent evictions have resulted in wanton destruction of property, bodily harm and deaths and also caused a significant strain in the relationship between Forest Communities and the Government of Kenya. The High-Level Fact-Finding Mission was carried out from 14th to 23rd March 2018 under the leadership and stewardship of KNCHR Commissioners George Morara and Chivusia Shatikha, and the CEO Dr. Bernard Mogesa. The Mission richly benefited from the participation of Amnesty International, National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders- Kenya, Katiba Institute, Kenya Human Rights Commission and the African Commission Working Group on Indigenous Populations who joined as Observers to the Mission. Click to download report