Lobby slams Uhuru administration over widespread human rights violations

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has taken a swipe at President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration for reversing gains in human rights protection since taking over power in 2013.

The lobby group on Monday said human rights violations by Uhuru’s office have been perpetuated from numerous attacks on the media and civil society groups.

Vice chair George Morara said threats to the media and activists by State House have denied the two groups their lawful role of protecting human rights.

"We must acknowledge the fact that since 2013, the CSOs and media have come under increasing attacks, especially from the Executive Arm of the Government, mostly for no other reason than the fact they were standing up for human rights_for someone’s rights," Morara said.

He spoke at the University of Nairobi when Kenya joined the world in marking the 70th International Human Rights Day attended by top government officials and foreign diplomats.

Government officials present were the Council of Governors chairman Josphat Nanok, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and Secretary of Justice in Attorney General’s office Maryanne Njau.

Diplomats include Head of European Union delegation Stefano Dejak, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya Siddharth Chatterjee and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights representative Marcella Favretto.

Others were Amnesty International- Kenya chairperson Renee Ngamau, her executive director Houghton Irungu and the Safaricom Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Steve Chege.

"We have seen threats of closure, actual closures, threats of deregistration and actual deregistration of some members of these key actors in the promotion of human rights in Kenya," Morara said.

He was citing the controversial January 30 swearing in of NASA leader Raila Odinga as people’s president that saw major television station switched off in preventing them from covering the event.

Morara was also citing last year’s move by the Jubilee administration to deregister several civil society groups and Foundations during the election period.

The KNCHR vice chair challenged the Presidency to stand up for the rights of a “vibrant” civil society and media by implementing the Public Benefit Organization Act, 2013.

"This Act provides a sound framework for enhancing the efficiency of civil society while at the same time promoting a healthy co-existence between CSOs and the state,” Morara said.

"Full implementation of the Act will create a win-win outcome. It will also boost our rule of law index since our courts have already issued orders that the Act be operationalised."

The Amnesty International-Kenya chair decried rising incidences of human rights violations in the country including unlawful evictions and extrajudicial killings in the country.

"As we rededicate ourselves to the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we call on Kenyans to demand that all citizens regardless of their class, gender, ethnicity or sexual preference fully enjoy the rights and freedoms contained in the Declaration and our own Bill of Rights," Ngamau said.

Nanok, the Council of Governors chair, raised concern over runaway corruption, 'rotten government' and disregard to rule of law as vices impeding enjoyment of human rights in the country.

"These are some of vices that have constantly kept tying us in poverty. Actualizing human rights is through action, not words," Nanok said.

The Head of EU delegation in Kenya lauded progress the country has made in champion human rights compared to the neighboring countries while challenging women to fight for equal political representation.

"Gender inequality is a big case in Kenya but it is not the two thirds gender bill that will resolve the inequality. There is much more that needs to be done," Dejak said.

He noted that no society can develop fully unless women are also involved without discrimination.