Transforming Refugee Policy in Kenya
The report examines the implementation of Kenya's new refugee law, which shifts from a long-standing encampment policy to promoting the socio-economic integration of refugees. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive refugee policy that defines refugee status, enhances the autonomy of the Department of Refugee Services, and secures sustainable funding. Despite progress, challenges persist, including declining donor support and inadequate infrastructure in host communities. The report highlights the importance of integrating refugees into local economies while addressing land tenure issues and ensuring community engagement. Recommendations include enhancing coordination among stakeholders and establishing robust accountability mechanisms to support effective implementation of the new policies. Download Report
A Survey Report -Status of Migrants in Detention
Migration detention is a growing threat to the well-being of migrants worldwide. Over the past 20 years various governments have increasingly adopted this tool as a means of controlling migrants’ entry and stay in their territories. This trend has been understood as a key effort in tightening measures pertaining to national security and is considered valuable in managing risks and containing those who may pose as a threat to the state, its citizenry and state sovereignty. However, reports have been made of the frequent human rights violations and abuses against migrants while at the detention centers. People detained during the migration processes enjoy minimum requirement and rights similar to those of persons or citizens detained in the criminal justice system.Download Report
Towards Implementation of the Global Compact on Migration: Taking a Human Rights Based Approach to Migration
Migration is inherent in human development since it has shaped the economic, social and political configuration of the current world. Skills transfer, economic expansion, private- sector development and diaspora remittances are examples of positive attributes associated with migration in many countries including Kenya. Despite the positive attributes; migrants across the globe face exploitation, exclusion and are generally deprived of their rights. As a source, transit, and destination country for different types of migration, Kenya remains a hub for trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants making them easy targets for human rights violations. Download Report
Handbook on Migration and Human Rights
The Better Migration Management Programme (BMM) is a regional programme formed by EU and countries of the Khartoum Process aiming to improve migration management and in particular to address the trafficking and smuggling of migrants within and from the Horn of Africa. BMM is an example of cooperation between the European Commission and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project is implemented by GIZ in partnership with European and International agencies. Download Report
Curriculum on Migration and Human Rights
The commission is mandated to provide oversight over state and non-state actors in the area of the human rights. They are also charged to receive and respond promptly and effectively to cases of violations of the human rights of their nationals and those within the country and to ensure the State’s compliance with the international laws and obligations. Therefore, KNCHR plays a critical role of engaging with different stakeholders at both national and international level in promoting and protecting the human rights of migrants.Human trafficking and smuggling are some of the human rights violations to migrants. Download Report
Homeless At Home: A Human Rights Assessment of Situation of Internally Displaced Persons in Kenya
This study is the first of its kind in Kenya to document human rights and protection concerns of
IDPs in Kenya and provide comprehensive quantitative and qualitative data that is useful to both state and non-state actors working with displaced persons. The study has also provided a raft of recommendations particularly to the Government of Kenya which we hope if adopted will lead to the improvement of human rights situation of IDPs. It is our sincere hope that state and non-state agencies will find this report useful when they are designing interventions for displaced persons. Download Report
An Identity Crisis? A Study on the Issuance of National Identity Cards In Kenya
This study was framed in response to a number of complaints received by the KNCHR alleging discrimination of some ethnic communities or certain parts of Kenya in the issuance of Identity Cards. Some of the study’s key findings and recommendations focused on the nationality of certain ethnic groups in Kenya. Other studies over the last years which examined nationality legislations in Africa, and related administrative practices and the position of particular ethnic groups in that context have also noted the problem of asserting nationality for certain groups in Kenya.. Download Report
Out of the shadows towards ensuring the rights of stateless persons and persons at risk of statelessness in Kenya
This research study examines the issue of statelessness within the Kenyan context. Drawing on fieldwork, it evaluates the human rights violations faced by stateless persons or those at risk of statelessness in the country. The study shows that these persons face difficulties in their quest to enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms relating to work, movement, education, property and health. The study makes specific policy, legal and administrative recommendations to various state and non state actors that could alleviate these challenges as well as reduce the occurrence and the population of stateless persons or persons at risk of statelessness. Download Report
Nowhere to go Forced;Evictions in Mau Forest
Between 2004 and 2006, a massive programme of evictions has been carried out in forest areas of Kenya. Houses, schools and health centres have been destroyed, and many have been rendered homeless. Estimates indicate that in six forests alone, more than a hundred thousand persons were forcibly evicted between July 2004 and June 2006. Evictions in a number of forest areas are reportedly continuing and humanitarian groups are expressing growing concerns about the ongoing increase in internally displaced persons from forest areas in Kenya.The Government of Kenya has indicated that evictions in forest areas will continue. Download Report
Unfinished Business:Kenya’s efforts to address displacement and land issues in Coast Region
The report analyses displacement in Coast region and identifies tensions over land tenure and poor land governance as key triggers, and obstacles to durable solutions. It provides examples of land issues underlying displacement caused by generalised violence, disasters and human rights violations, and establishes a close link between tenure insecurity and forced evictions. The report then makes recommendations to national and county authorities, the international community, civil society and businesses to better address IDPs’ protection and assistance needs, and to prevent new displacement. Download Report
Gender Audit of the Situation of WHRD 2017
The aim of this research study is to quantify the scale and types of violence against WHRDs and their families, communities and organizations, as well as to describe the characteristics of these attacks, including potential gender dimensions and on a larger scale so as to inform national intervention policies and programmes. Download Report
Handbook on Forced Eviction in Kenya
The practice of forced evictions is a growing national problem that threatens lives and livelihoods especially of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of the society including the urban poor, slum dwellers, persons living with disability, minorities and indigenous groups, women, children and the elderly. Forced evictions have been carried out under the pretext of forest conservation, development projects, and slum upgrading projects. They have invariably led to unwarranted loss of property, lives and livelihoods. Download Report