Functions of Elected State Officers
The Kenya Human Rights Commission on Tuesday April 23, 2013 launched a book on the functions of elected state officers. The book titled “Functions of Elected State Officers: Making a Complete Shift from the Past” is a brief over view of what is expected of the elected state officers under the devolved system of government introduced by the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

Kenyan Members of Parliament (MPs) are known to be some of the best paid in Africa and in deed in the world. In the past they had they had the privilege of setting their own salaries. In the period 2008- 2013, Kenyan taxpayers paid MPs KES 851,000 per month and the President KES 2.4M per month. In the same period, Kenya’s per capita income has been KES 2,000 per month, while minimum wage remained KES 4,050 per month. This means the President earned over 595 times than the average citizen, while MPs in the 10th Parliament earned over 425 times more than the per capita income and 210 times more than the minimum wage paid to the many workers in the agriculture, plantations and allied sector whose sweat is the backbone of Kenya’s economy.

Purity Mwongeli- MP Candidate for Embakasi South, NairobiThe Kenya Human Rights Commission hosted a gala dinner on February 13, 2013 in celebration of Women in Leadership in 2013. Targeted at aspiring women candidates in the upcoming general elections, the event brought together women aspirants and other eminent personalities to network, endorse and motivate the aspirants ahead of the general elections.

Present at the event were women leaders in the judiciary, media, corporate and non-governmental organizations. It was noted that each of the guests represented triumph over obstacles and a reason to believe for the aspirants present that there is light at the end of their journey.

Speaking at the event, Atsango Chesoni from KHRC pointed out that the Women in Leadership initiative is designed to ensure more women are elected into public office come the 2013 general elections. She added that the female aspirants are still disadvantaged as compared to their male counterparts locally and their female counterparts regionally. She noted that Rwanda for example has a female majority in parliament while Kenya had less that 10% representation in the 10^th Parliament.

Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga ( second right) who is the immediate former Ford Foundation East Africa Representative presents the Champion of Democracy Award plaque given to the KHRC to Mr. Davis Malombe, Deputy Executive Director(centre)and Ms. Atsango Chesoni, KHRC Executive Director, (second left). Also present to receive the award on behalf of KHRC are Ms. Betty Murungi, (right), vice-Chair of KHRC’s Board of Directors and Ms. Judy Ngugi (left), KHRC Finance Director.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has once again been feted for its exemplary work by the Ford Foundation from among hundreds of visionaries that the Foundation supports in the  East Africa region. Together with nine other entities, the KHRC was awarded the Ford Foundation Champions of Democracy Award in recognition of vision, courage, commitment and willingness to take risk that are necessary to bring about lasting social change.

The Ford Foundation Champions of Democracy Award was created by the Ford Foundation Eastern Africa office as a one-time special honor that will provide $100,000 grants to 10 extraordinary leaders and their organizations to celebrate five decades of working with people and organizations on the frontlines of social change.

While addressing the award recipients, Maurice Makoloo, Ford Foundation’s East African Regional Representative said, “ You have been selected not only because you are leading innovators in your fields, but because your ideas and programs have the potential to shape national or global outcomes.”

Since the foundation’s work began in Eastern Africa in 1962, the region has witnessed tremendous transformation. Economic opportunities have grown. Stronger institutions are emerging. Good governance is increasingly becoming a reality. There is also an expansion and deepening of democracy and respect for women’s rights which has increased dramatically. These successful 50 years in East Africa, Ford Foundation attributes to the direct result of the partnership between the foundation and visionary partners like the KHRC and the other nine honorees.

“You and our other nine honorees represent the vision, courage, commitment and willingness to take risk that are necessary to bring about lasting social change”, said Mr. Makoloo, adding that, “ We hope that the will open greater opportunity for each of you to promote and advance the breakthrough work you are leading.”

For 75 years, the Ford Foundation has been committed to strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting international cooperation and advancing human achievement worldwide. The KHRC echoes the Ford Foundation Eastern Africa office’s sentiment that in deed it is an honour to work with the Ford Foundation and look forward to seeing the KHRC vision grow.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the farmers’ representatives drawn from 9 counties, representing sugar, coffee and rice farmers as well as the communities living around the sisal estates in Taveta, Mogotio and Kibwezi areas held a 1day stakeholders forum to deliberate on the 2 proposed bills –Crops Bill 2012 and the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Authority Bill (ALFFA Bill 2012). In attendance were the representatives from the farmer’s institutions – Kenya Sugar Growers Association (Kesga), Kenya National Sugar Growers Union (KENSGU) and West Kenya and Muhoroni Outgrowers institutions.

General Observations:

The stakeholders supported the rationale of consolidation of the multiple laws and institutions (state corporations) that regulate the many crops cultivated in Kenya reducing costs to the tax payer. However, the forum took issue with lack of consultative process with key stakeholders in development of the bills, prior to their tabling in parliament.