Between November 12-14, 2024, KELIN joined a crucial workshop in Machakos, Kenya convened by the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice. The workshop brought together government various state ministries, departments and agencies as well as diverse civil society organizations (CSOs) members of the Kenya Stakeholders Coalition on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
The objective of the workshop was to review Kenya’s progress on past recommendations and gather credible information on any measures to address human rights violations that would go into the government’s report for the fourth Cycle, 57th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) in May 2025.
Mr. Thomas Kibunja and Ms. Safo Ahmed, State Counsels from the Department of Justice, presented the draft state report. KELIN, as convenor of the CSOs Right to Health thematic group, gave feedback and shared insight on the human rights situation and existing challenges with respect to inadequate healthcare financing, limited access to sexual and reproductive health rights services and information, prevention and treatment of HIV and TB, as well as gaps in mental health services and issues around digital health.
“We must not wait to analyze the human rights situation in our country every 4 to 5 years. Let us collaborate and have an annual human rights conference” emphasized Mr. Thomas Kibunja, State Counsel, State Department of Justice. “The government of Kenya is doing its best and so are CSOs in Kenya.” Highlighted Mr. Fredrick Odhiambo, Programme Officer, Economic & Social Rights Centre – Hakijamii.
KELIN plans to attend the validation meeting for the Kenya’s (State) report scheduled for December 5, 2024, hold physical pre-session meetings with UN agencies and diplomatic missions’ resident in Kenya on December 10, 2024 and in Geneva from February 18-21, 2025 ahead Kenya’s fourth cycle UPR to ensure that the voices of civil society are heard in the monitoring of the human rights situations in Kenya.
“KELIN remains dedicated to advancing the right to health for all, and this UPR process is a crucial step in holding our government accountable and pushing for meaningful change.” Elsie Milimu, Program Officer at KELIN.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our website and social media platforms.
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
Twitter(X): @KELINKenya.
For more information please contact, Elsie Milimu,
Program Officer- SRHR, Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS(KELIN),
Email: elsiemilimu@kelinkenya.org
