The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Kisii University have signed a memorandum of understanding to introduce a Human Rights unit in the School of Law.
Vice Chancellor Professor John Akama said the unit will equip students with knowledge on human rights, with the institution set to create a centre for human rights for students to research on several aspects.
Prof Akama, who spoke recently at a public lecture by KNCHR CEO Bernard Mogesa, said the university will design an academic programme on human rights and make it compulsory for all students in the university.
“Human rights components are crucial in a democratic society and are enshrined in the constitution; our university will strive to promote rights of vulnerable groups in our community,” said Prof Akama.
The VC reiterated that once community members are sensitised on their rights, they will protect them when violated to promote peace and tranquility among individuals and families in society.
Kisii University is willing to empower the community around it with skills on human rights so that they can know their constitutional rights as part of its corporate social responsibility,” said Prof Akama.
Mr Mogesa said the memorandum with the university will heighten the exchange of knowledge and skills on human rights where they will jointly fund research on human rights related issues and promote its activities.
The CEO said the commission has launched human rights programmes in several higher institutions of learning to equip students with skills to handle human rights issues in societies around them effectively.
“Our commission will be holding public lectures to students at the institutions of higher learning to articulate issues related on human rights; we are calling on more universities to embrace the programme we have started,” said Mogesa.
He said that the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has already launched the programme at the University of Nairobi and Laikipia University, with Kisii University being the third institution to embrace the programme.
Mogesa said the commission is currently providing advisories to the National Assembly, the Senate and the 47 county assemblies across the country on policies and legislation with the institutions expected to lend a hand.
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