by Shikuku Obosi

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) convened one day training on 26th June 2014 at the Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The aim of the training was to equip participants with knowledge on international reporting to treaty bodies/ human rights committees and how to prepare shadow reports and how to engage with different committees to promote the rights of persons with disabilities.

KNCHR (Kenya National Commission on Human Rights) has a mandate to monitor government’s compliance with international obligations, which involves government’s commitment to protect and promote human rights in accordance with the various treaties/ conventions that Kenya has ratified. Disabled Peoples’ organizations, persons with disabilities and other implementing organizations also have a role in monitoring State’s compliance and can utilize different human rights mechanisms regionally and internationally which are tasked to receive reports from states on their commitment to promote a human rights culture to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

Participants were taken through international human rights instruments, obligations, processes, monitoring and reporting. Regional Human Rights Instruments such as The African Charter on Human Rights and People’s Rights and Treaty Body Chartered based Reporting Systems, UNCPRD & Universal Periodic Review was discussed and how they can be utilized to engage on the rights of people with disabilities.

Participants were taken through the 2012 – 2013 Kenya’s Universal Periodic Review Report which preparation has been described as the best in the world so far – in terms of data gathering, monitoring, reporting etc.

Shikuku will use the information to support Inclusion Africa members to fully participate in the monitoring process. Capacity building of family based organizations in this regard is key.