September 11, 2023: Top news events to look out for today

Here is what you need to know in order to get up to speed with today’s news.

The National Dialogue talks

The National Dialogue committee is gearing up to commence discussions at the Bomas of Kenya. The dialogue team has outlined a five-point agenda for deliberation, which includes addressing outstanding constitutional matters, electoral justice, entrenching funds into the Constitution, establishing and entrenching State offices, and ensuring fidelity to political parties/coalitions and adherence to multiparty democracy laws.

The initial focus of the dialogue will be on addressing outstanding constitutional matters, with electoral justice being the first item on the agenda.

The Azimio dialogue team, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, features prominent figures such as Eugene Wamalwa from DAP-Kenya, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni, and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.

On the other hand, the Kenya Kwanza team is spearheaded by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa and includes Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, EALA MP Hassan Omar, and Bungoma Woman Rep Catherine Wambilianga.

United Nations Human Rights Council 54th Meeting

The United Nations Human Rights Council is scheduled to convene its 54th session from September 11 to October 13, 2023, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Ambassador Václav Bálek from the Czech Republic will preside over the session, with the opening address delivered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

During this session, the Council has planned 29 interactive dialogues with Special Procedure mandate holders, expert mechanisms, and investigative bodies. There will be discussions with the High Commissioner regarding his annual report and human rights situations in Nicaragua and Sudan under agenda item two.

Belarus and Myanmar will be discussed under agenda item four, which pertains to human rights situations requiring the Council’s attention.

Discussions about Ukraine and Haiti will occur under agenda item 10, focused on technical assistance and capacity building. Notably, the Council will host two enhanced interactive dialogues with the High Commissioner, one on racial justice in law enforcement and the other on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Furthermore, the Council will engage in an interactive dialogue with the Advisory Committee and hold five panel discussions on various topics, including unilateral coercive measures and human rights, integrating a gender perspective throughout the Council’s work, youth and human rights, cyberbullying against children, and the rights of indigenous peoples. The Council will also receive presentations of country and thematic reports from the Secretary-General, including a report on reprisals against individuals cooperating with the United Nations.

Reports and oral updates will be presented on the human rights situations in several countries, including Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, the Russian Federation, Syria, Burundi, Ukraine, Venezuela, South Sudan, Cambodia, Somalia, the Central African Republic, Georgia, and Yemen.

Towards the end of the session, the Council will appoint a total of 12 mandate holders of Special Procedures and seven members of its Advisory Committee.

Additionally, the final outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review for 14 states will be considered, and the Council will adopt outcome documents for each review. A general debate on agenda item six, which covers the Universal Periodic Review, is scheduled for the morning of October 4.

Kenya Volleyball Team in action

The Kenya men’s Volleyball team, known as Wafalme, is set to compete against Senegal in the 9-12 classification match at 5:00 pm.

The team is aiming to finish their competition on a positive note after facing disappointing results in the group stage.