Kenyan bags top international job after flooring 18 candidates

Kenyan candidate Timothy Ekesa has been elected to the Committee on the Rights of the Child for the period 2025 to 2029.

Ekesa won the prestigious role in a highly contested election held during the Convention on the Rights of the Child held in New York City, US, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. The Kenyan candidate garnered 134 votes to clinch the seat.

“Kenya’s candidate, Timothy Ekesa has been elected to the Committee on the Rights of the Child for the period 2025 to 2029. The election took place during the twentieth meeting of States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child held on 23rd May 2024, in New York. He garnered 134 votes, the second highest number of votes,” the State Department for Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on Friday, May 24, 2024.

18 candidates had expressed interest in occupying the seat but Ekesa impressed the members who picked alongside other eight candidates from Mauritania, Zambia, Belgium, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Georgia and Moldova.

Ekesa and the other elected officials will assume office on February 28, 2025, and then serve for a four-year tenure.

“The elections were hotly contested by 18 candidates, 11 from Africa vying for the 9 available seats. Ekesa was elected alongside eight other candidates from Mauritania, Zambia, Belgium, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Georgia and Moldova to replace those whose terms will expire on February 28, 2025,” the statement added.

The State Department for Foreign Affairs lauded Ekesa for his appointment indicating that the position will help the country take centre stage in advocating for children’s rights. The department added that Ekesa is well-grounded in executing the mandate.

“Kenya is committed to the promotion and protection of children’s rights and is strongly convinced that Mr. Ekesa will contribute substantially to the Committee given his vast experience in child rights advocacy.”

Ekesa’s profile

Ekesa is the Executive Director of the Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children. He is also a child rights activist with over 29 years of experience. The Kenyan candidate is also a board member of the Eastern Africa Child Rights Network (EACRN).

He holds a Masters of Science Degree in Organizational Development from the United States International University (USIU).

“As the Executive Director of Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children and a leading Child Rights Activist with over 29 years experience of advocating for children rights at national, regional and global levels, I believe I will contribute meaningfully to the work of the CRC Committee,” he stated while pitching for his candidacy.

Committee on the Rights of the Child

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on which Ekesa has been elected is a body of 18 independent experts that monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by its state parties.

The body plays a critical role in ensuring children are protected from any form of harm. It collaborates with various government agencies to achieve its goals in protecting the children.

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