Human rights groups oppose Kenya's bid for council slot

Kenya Human Rights Commission Programme Officer Martin Mavenjina addresses a past press conference. [File, Standard]

Nine human rights groups have opposed Kenya's bid to be in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

They argue the country's track record on upholding and protecting the Constitution falls short of the threshold. 

Led by Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), they urged the African Union to drop their support for Kenya in the race to be decided on Wednesday in New York, US. 

In a memorandum, the rights defender had submitted to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, they accused President William Ruto's administration of hypocrisy. 

They expressed concern saying Ruto cannot purport to be building the country's reputation while his administration continues to violate rights of Kenyans, showing disregard for the Constitution and overseeing corruption. 

"You cannot violate rights locally and then you want to hold an international position defending human rights," said Martin Mavenjina, KHRC Programme Officer.

He added: "Two years into President William Ruto's term, Kenyans continue to witness a deeply entrenched culture of impunity. Many have fallen victim to gross and systemic human rights violations that verge on crimes against humanity, infringing on Kenya's national, regional, and international obligations," he added.

President Ruto's administration has come under sharp criticism from many quotas who have condemned his administration over the brutal manner it handled protests.

Under spotlight, particularly has been the police that has faced wide criticism over mishandling of demonstrators especially during and after the Gen Z protests in June that left more than 60 dead and hundreds other injured. 

Reports of abductions, forced disappearance and extrajudicial killings have also hit headlines in the recent past, actions that the activists say disqualifies the country's candidature.

"These actions have adversely affected the realisation of social and economic rights under Article 43 of the Constitution. The repression of civic organising around these issues has also led to gross violations of civil and political rights," said Annet Nerima, Programme Manager KHRC.  

Despite the backlash, Kenya submitted its bid to hold the lucrative UN Council in September 27, 2024. 

However, the Civil Society Organisations described as alarming continued disregard for legal protections, alongside the failure of oversight mechanisms like the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to curb these abuses. 

"We have outlined Kenya’s poor track record in upholding national and international human rights principles and its deliberate failure to address serious violations since this administration came to power two years ago," said Cornelius Oduor, Deputy Executive Director KHRC.