public in elective and appointive bodies should be persons with disabilities. This
principle is yet to be realized. Awareness raising on the rights of persons with
disabilities is crucial in Kenya for the advancement of disability rights. Kenya has much
to do for the full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities.
4. ACTIVITIES
KNCHR has engaged in various activities aimed at advancement, protection and
enjoyment of human rights by all in Kenya. These activities were fashioned around 4
strategic objectives according to its fourth Strategic Plan 2015-2018. The 4 strategic
objectives are as follows: To promote the respect and observance of human rights in
public institutions; to increase application of human rights principles and standards in
institutions and mechanisms of justice; to enhance the realization of economic and
social rights in Kenya; and to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the
Commission. More details of the activities done by KNCHR in the year 2014/2015 are
available in its 12thAnnual Report on its website4.
5. DOMESTIC APPLICATION AND USE OF AFRCIAN CHARTER AND
AFRCIAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS PROTOCOL
The African Charter has been used extensively in Kenya. It is used to guide the human
rights conversations while devising policies and laws. Kenyan courts have also used
the African Charter to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms that are violated
or threatened with violation. Those who litigate before the courts have also used the
African Charter to claim for their rights. They use the obligations to the State that are
contained in the Charter to hold perpetrators of human rights accountable for their
actions. This use of the Charter is evidenced by the cases touching on human rights that
are reported in the Kenya Law Reports.
6. STATE REPORTING
Kenya submitted its initial report to the ACHPR in 2006. The report covered the period
from 1992 (when Kenya became a State party to the Charter) to 2006. This was a
4
KNCHR, 12th Annual Report available at
http://www.knchr.org/Portals/0/AnnualReports/Annual%20English%20FINALE%20COPY.compressed.pdf?ver
=2016-05-31-172234-997 (last accessed 3/10/2016)
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