Kenya’s human rights record will come under international scrutiny today as the country undergoes its fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The review, held during the 49th session of the UPR Working Group, will evaluate Kenya’s progress in upholding human rights since its last review in January 2020. The peer review process occurs every 4.5 years and involves all 193 UN Member States, though the 47-member Human Rights Council leads the evaluations.
Kenya’s submission includes reports from the government, independent experts, civil society, and international organizations. Key concerns raised include extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, limited press freedom, and insufficient protections for human rights defenders.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) highlighted the abolition of the death penalty as progress but noted persistent challenges in tackling torture and impunity. Stakeholders also raised alarm over the Assembly and Demonstration Bill 2024, which proposes tighter controls on protests, including heavy liabilities for organizers and increased police authority.
Critics argue the Bill undermines Article 37 of Kenya’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble and demonstrate. The Katiba Institute warned that the proposed law is “designed to kill the right” to protest.
Kenya’s election to the UNHRC in October 2024 faced opposition from domestic rights groups citing state violence, abductions, and judicial interference. During the 2024 anti-tax protests, at least 60 people were reported killed by police, fueling further criticism.
As Kenya’s delegation presents its case in Geneva, observers will be watching closely to see how the country responds to international calls for greater accountability and reforms.
