In a significant step toward enhancing human rights accountability in Kenya, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has intensified its public participation exercise on the Commission’s Draft Complaints and Enforcement Regulations, 2025. The latest forums were successfully held in Eldoret (Uasin Gishu County) and Nakuru County, attracting a cross-section of stakeholders from civil society, state agencies, community representatives, and the general public.
The public forums were led by Commissioner Dr. Dennis Wamalwa, who is spearheading the Commission’s reform agenda on access to justice, alongside the Commission’s Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bernard Mogesa. The duo underscored the importance of inclusive and transparent engagement with the public in shaping regulations that will govern the Commission’s complaints-handling and enforcement functions.
The initiative is part of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to uphold the national values and principles of governance, particularly under Article 10(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, which emphasizes public participation as a cornerstone of democratic governance. The Commission is committed to ensuring that the views and experiences of rights holders and duty bearers alike inform the development of effective, accessible, and responsive complaints and enforcement procedures.
Speaking during the forums, Commissioner Dr. Wamalwa reiterated that:
“This process is not merely a statutory obligation; it is a demonstration of our commitment to participatory governance and a reflection of our belief that Kenyans are central to shaping the human rights architecture of this country.”
Participants in both counties engaged actively, offering insights on existing challenges in lodging and resolving complaints, and providing valuable recommendations to strengthen the independence, effectiveness, and user-friendliness of the complaints system.
The feedback collected from these engagements will be critically analyzed and incorporated into the final version of the KNCHR (Complaints and Enforcement) Regulations 2025. Once finalized, the Regulations will serve as a robust framework to guide how the Commission receives, investigates, and enforces responses to human rights complaints, further reinforcing KNCHR’s mission of promoting and protecting the rights of all.
The Commission looks forward to extending these consultations to additional counties, ensuring that the final regulations reflect a broad spectrum of voices and lived experiences across Kenya.