Kakuzi PLC has become the first local firm to establish the Independent Human Rights Advisory Committee.
The manufacturing company said that former Attorney General Githu Muigai will chair the committee.
In its communication, the firm said that the appointment of the committee to its board makes it the first corporate organisation in Sub-Sahara Africa to constitute and establish such an independent advisory panel.
Speaking when he confirmed the appointment of the IHRAC, Kakuzi PLC Managing Director Chris Flowers said the committee would provide independent technical advisory to the firm’s Board of Directors.
Chris said that such technical advisory and expertise would guarantee sustainable compliance with global human rights matters across the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) listed firm’s operations.
He added that Kakuzi has also enacted an Operational-Level Grievance Mechanism benchmarked against the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
“As part of our core values, the Board of Kakuzi PLC is sincerely committed and desirous of strengthening end-to-end efforts to ensure that human rights are respected in all our operations. The appointment of this IHRAC committee underscores this commitment to voluntarily protect, respect, and remedy any human rights grievances as responsible business practices,” Flowers said.
Commenting about his new role to the firm, Githu said that Kakuzi is pioneering a public accountability programme demonstrating its commitment to respecting human rights within its operating and supply chain environment.
“The members of the IHRAC are meant to autonomously advise and review Kakuzi’s action points to ensure that the firm remains at the leading edge of this accountability programme. Above all else, adopting an IHRAC is advantageous to all stakeholders. Human rights standards are fundamental standards that lead to better business accountability. Adoption of IHRAC is an idea whose time has come and one that I would strongly recommend,” Githu said.
Other members appointed to the committee include former Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Board Member Grace Madoka, former Finlays Kenya Legal and HR Director Dr Brenda Achieng, and Kakuzi Plc non-executive independent director Andrew Ndegwa with another member set to be announced soon.
Edited by D Tarus
