Kenya Marks International Human Rights Day with Renewed Commitment to Equality and Justice

Kenya has joins the global community in commemorating International Human Rights Day themed Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.

On his statement,the Government Spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura noted that this year’s theme underscores the urgent need to protect and promote the dignity and freedoms of every individual, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),adopted 76 years ago.

He added that the UDHR forms the cornerstone of modern human rights frameworks, advocating for equality, justice, inclusivity, education and healthcare for all.

“Kenya has made notable strides in upholding these principles by ratifying key international conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),” he stated.

Additionally,he noted that recently the nation celebrated two decades of disability rights inclusion through national legislation,2010 Constitution particularly Chapter Four which enshrines fundamental rights and freedoms through a human rights-based approach.

” This framework underpins the country’s development agendas, including Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA Plan),” he said,noting that despite the challenges ,femicide continues to rise with 97 women tragically losing their lives within 90 days and 150 reported cases in 2023.

Mwaura reiterated that the government has strongly condemned the acts and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and efforts are underway, in collaboration with state and non-state actors, to address such challenges and safeguard the human rights of all citizens.

Speaking on Kenya’s diversity, the government emphasized the importance of the spirit of Ubuntu, which promotes shared humanity and a collective future.

At the same time,he said that the focus remains on protecting the rights of vulnerable groups including women, children, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities and marginalized communities.

Mwaura reiterated that upholding human rights is pivotal to building trust, strengthening democracy and ensuring equitable development for all Kenyans.

” By committing to the principles, the nation continues to strive toward a more just and inclusive society,” he stated.