Background

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an autonomous national Human rights institution established under article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 with the core mandate of furthering the promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya. It is a successor to the body of the same name established by an earlier Act of Parliament in 2002, that later became operational in July 2003.The KNCHR succeeded the Standing Committee on Human Rights established in 1996 through presidential decree. The Commission is established in accordance with the United Nations approved Paris Principles. The management team consists of five Commissioners and the Secretariat.

International status

The operations of the KNCHR are guided by the United Nations-approved Paris Principles on the establishment and functioning of independent national human rights institutions. The National Commission has been accredited by the International Co-ordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC), which is based in Geneva at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as an ‘A status’ institution which means that the Commission has been found to be in compliance with the Principles. The KNCHR is a member of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), the ICC's regional grouping for Africa.

Mandate

The Commission plays two key broad mandates; 

It acts as a watch-dog over the Government in the area of human rights. 

Provides key leadership in moving the country towards a human rights state. 

The main goal of KNCHR is to investigate and provide redress for human rights violations, to research and monitor the compliance of human rights norms and standards, to conduct human rights education, to facilitate training, campaigns and advocacy on human rights as well as collaborate with other stakeholders in Kenya.

Vision

A society that upholds human rights for all.

Mission

To protect,promote and monitor the respect for human rights in Kenya through law,policy and practice.