Shadow Report on Kenya’s 14th Periodic Report on the African Charter and Maputo Protocol
This report, drafted by the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Kenya (Defenders Coalition) and DefendDefenders, (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) is intended for the consideration of the Commission during its 87th Ordinary session scheduled to take place in Banjul, The Gambia from 11- 20 May 2026. This session will include an examination of the 14th periodic report submitted by the Republic of Kenya regarding its compliance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 2nd Report to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).
In adherence to the reporting guidelines provided by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, this report does not claim to present a comprehensive overview of the state of the African Charter’s implementation in Kenya. Instead, it focuses on a critical examination of specific Charter articles and their implementation by the Kenyan government.
The report starts with an executive summary that outlines the key areas of concern and provides recommendations that Defenders Coalition and DefendDefenders believe are crucial for the government of Kenya to effectively address and implement the provisions of the Charter. We appreciate the Commission’s dedication to reviewing this shadow report and express optimism that it will aid the Commission in its assessment of Kenya’s efforts in upholding the provisions of the Charter.
The shadow report addresses issues including ratification of regional and international instruments, extra judicial killings, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, police reforms, the rights to freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly, situation of human rights defenders in Kenya. It also includes a set of recommendations directed towards the government of Kenya, aimed at improving the protection and promotion of human rights in the country.