Uhuru’s administration attacked for increased human rights violations

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Human Rights lobby group on Monday slammed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration for reversing gains in human rights protection since taking over power in 2013.

They revealed 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.

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“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.

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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.

“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.

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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.

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“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.

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.

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