Kenya National Commission on Human Rights

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an autonomous National Human Rights Institution established by a Kenyan Act of Parliament in 2002.

Its main mission is to investigations and provide redress, research and monitoring on compliance of human rights norms and standards, human rights education and training and campaigns, advocacy, and collaboration with other stakeholders in Kenya. The KNCHR has six programmes to implement its strategic goals.

The KNCHR is comprised of nine commissioners appointed by the Parliament of Kenya and a Secretariat that runs the KNCHR's programmatic areas. The mandate of the KNCHR is to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya. Although established by Government, the KNCHRis independent. It operations are guided by the United Nation’s approved Paris Principles on the establishment and functioning of independent national human rights institutions. The National Commission has been accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, which is based in Geneva at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as a Category ‘A’ institution which means that the Commission has been found to be effective and independent in its operations.

The KNCHR is a watchdog body. It monitors Government institutions, carries out investigations on alleged violations, and in appropriate cases provides redress to those whose rights have been violated. The Commission also gives advice to the Kenyan Government on how to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights. It also monitors the enactment of legislation in Kenya to ensure they are human rights compliant, and recommends for review of older legislation for the same purpose.