• KNCHR chairperson Odede, said that they fully support the security operations but they must be in line with a Human Rights Based Approach.
• The commission noted that the net effect of the vacate order will have far-reaching negative effects on a myriad of their human rights and fundamental freedoms as protected in their Constitution.
Image: FILE
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called on the government to extend the 24-hour vacation order in the banditry-prone areas.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the commission also requested the state to take urgent measures to avert an impending humanitarian crisis in the North Rift.
“This is to ensure all civilians have been fully evacuated from the troubled areas before the security operations can commence,” the statement by the Commission chairperson Roseline Odede read.
On Sunday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki ordered residents from certain regions within Samburu, West Pokot, Laikipia, Turkana and Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties to vacate ahead of a crackdown against bandits.
Odede said that the security agencies should guarantee the safety and security of all civilians in the identified areas and guarantee them a safe and orderly passage.
She added that the government should provide safe houses to the affected communities including basic needs.
The human rights commission is worried that the relocation move is particularly torturous for vulnerable groups in these communities, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, children, the sick, and expectant women.
“Due to the pastoralism nature of the affected communities and in view of the impending displacement, the National and County Governments provide safe houses and spaces where the communities can temporarily relocate with access to basic commodities of water, food, adequate and reasonable sanitation,” Odede said.
The commission also said that no child or person should be denied their right to education or health services following the evacuation.
“The national and county governments take appropriate measures and ensure that there will be no child that is denied their right to education through a seamless provision of alternative education centres in the affected areas,” it added.
“The healthcare services be prioritised to the communities in the affected areas with specific priority and focus to the special interest groups such as; elderly, persons with disabilities, children, the sick and maternal care to expectant women.”
The security operation should provide access to relief assistance as well as guidance on the areas that warrant classification as disturbed areas.
“The security team should leverage on the existing local administration structures for purposes of sharing information with members of the public on disturbed areas, relocation arrangements for populations being displaced from disturbed areas and emergency support services,” added the commission.
Odede said that they fully support the security operations but they must be in line with a Human Rights Based Approach.
“While the Commission fully supports the security operations aimed at restoring peace and order in the larger North Rift region, it calls on the same to be in line with a Human Rights Based Approach that recognises the ultimate goal of protecting the civilian population in these troubled and disturbed areas, particularly focusing on the vulnerable groups,” Odede said.
KNCHR noted that “most of the areas identified and dubbed as crime scenes” are civilians habitual places of residence and the net effect of the vacate order will have far-reaching negative effects on a myriad of their human rights and fundamental freedoms as protected in our Constitution.”
This comes after Interior CS Kithure Kindiki issued a directive on Sunday for residents to vacate certain areas and pave way for security operations.