APRM • SECOND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA 3.6.2 Findings of the Review Mission 3.6.2.1 Progress made since 2006 Review 125. The Bill of Rights contains progressive provisions on the civil and political as well as socio-economic and cultural rights for men, women and vulnerable groups. To oversee the implementation of these rights, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KNRC) was established. For many reasons some of which are highlighted below, the KNRC stands out as a national human rights institution. 3.6.2.2 Best Practice: Kenya National Human Rights on Commission protecting and promoting the rights of Kenyans. 126. The establishment of an autonomous and effective human rights institution is a sign of the commitment of the government of Kenya to meet its international and national obligations towards the realisation of rights. KNRC has executed its mandate in a commendable manner and distinguished itself as a beacon of vigilance for human rights monitoring. It has been accredited as an ‘A’ status national human rights institution by the International Co-coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC) that is supported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The KNRC has worked actively and proactively with government departments and civil society to address priority areas for human rights protection and monitoring compliance by government. Through its extensive research work and judicial activism, it is continuously investigating and analysing de jure and de facto situations of violation by state and non-state actors and publishing findings on the same. KNRC has handled individual and group complaints on violations of human rights based on the Constitutions or international standards. 3.6.2.3 Civil and Political rights 127. Freedom of assembly: Overall, Kenyans are guaranteed the right to assemble freely and associate with like-minded people, individually and collectively. This right, together with fundamental rights such as freedom of movement, expression and information is integral to the operations of civil society organisations. However on various occasions in 2016, during the demonstrations against alleged corruption in government and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, there were incidences of excessive use of force and arbitrary arrests by police. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and citizens condemned the unlawful incidences of excessive use of force and brutality by the police. Investigations by the IPOA commenced in May 2016. 128. Equality and non-discrimination: Government has put in place legislative and programmatic measures to vet movement of persons and finances and registration for passports and identity cards. Unfortunately, this has resulted in perceptions of witch hunting and | 91 |