Kenya National Commission on Human Rights
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The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an autonomous National Human Rights Institution established by a Kenyan Act of Parliament in 2002. KNCHR became operational in July 2003.
Its main mission is to investigate and provide redress to human rights violations in Kenya, to research and monitor the compliance of human rights norms and standards, human rights education and training and campaigns, advocacate, and collaborate with other stakeholders in Kenya. The KNCHR has six programmes to implement its strategic goals.
The KNCHR has nine commissioners appointed by the President of Kenya after nominations by Parliament. A Secretariat headed by the Commission Secretary runs the KNCHR's programmatic areas. The mandate of the KNCHR is to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya. Although established by Government, the KNCHR is independent. It operations are guided by the United Nation’s approved Paris Principles on the establishment and functioning of independent national human rights institutions. The National Commission has been accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, which is based in Geneva at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as a Category ‘A’ institution which means that the Commission has been found to be effective and independent in its operations.
The KNCHR is a watchdog body. It monitors Government institutions, carries out investigations on alleged violations, and in appropriate cases provides redress to those whose rights have been violated. KNCHR is also an advisory body. The Commission gives advice to the Kenyan Government on how to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights. It also monitors the enactment of legislation in Kenya to ensure they are human rights compliant, and recommends for review of older legislation for the same purpose.
The KNCHR's main office is in Nairobi, with two regional offices, one in Wajir in Kenya's remote North Eastern province and another in Kapenguria, in the Kenyan Rift Valley launched in September 2007.
