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President William Ruto has made four key human rights pledges to the United Nations, which Kenya has committed to implement in line with requirements of the UN Declaration on Human Right (UNDHR).

During the 75th anniversary celebrations for the implementation of the UNDHR, locally marked in Nairobi at the Gigiri UN headquarters, Attorney General Justin Muturi read out Kenya’s pledges on behalf of President Ruto, as he also elaborated on other human rights milestones the country had achieved.

In Ruto’s keynote address, at the occasion that coincided with the UN Human Rights Day, Muturi said Kenya was committed to honouring its pledges and treaties with the UN.

Ruto pledged Kenya’s commitment to developing a comprehensive National Human Rights Policy and Action Plan, dedicated to enhancing the realisation and enjoyment of rights and fundamental freedoms for all Kenyans.

The President also read out the pledge to lead the country to transition to Clean Energy. He added, “Recognising our global responsibility, we pledge to achieve a complete transition to clean energy sources by 2030, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation efforts and sustainable development”.

He reiterated his government’s commitment to criminalise enforced disappearances, pledging to enact comprehensive domestic legislation that explicitly criminalises enforced disappearances and establishes robust mechanisms for prevention, investigation, prosecution and victim support.

Ruto underlined the fourth pledge of promoting social protection, by fostering gender equality and safeguarding the rights of children, people with disabilities, elderly persons and all marginalised groups.