Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya)

The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), established in 1959, is the nation's oldest human rights organization. As a non-governmental, non-profit membership body, it comprises over 500 jurists from both the Bar and the Bench. ICJ Kenya operates autonomously but maintains affiliation with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

The organization's vision is to foster “a just, free, and equitable society,” while its mission focuses on promoting human rights, justice, and democracy in Kenya and across Africa through legal expertise and adherence to international best practices.

ICJ Kenya's core objectives include developing and safeguarding the principles of the rule of law, ensuring the independence of the judiciary and legal profession, and advocating for the protection of human rights as outlined in international declarations and treaties. The organization also emphasizes the provision of legal services in rural areas and collaborates with national and international bodies sharing similar goals.

Historically, ICJ Kenya has been instrumental in advocating for constitutional reforms, notably drafting a model constitution in 1994 alongside the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission. This initiative pressured the government to enact a new constitution. The organization has also campaigned for freedom of information legislation and played a pivotal role in judicial reforms, leading to the resignation of judges and magistrates implicated in corruption in 2003.

Governed by a constitution and an elected council of seven members serving two-year terms, ICJ Kenya's secretariat is led by the Executive Director, who oversees daily operations. The secretariat comprises professionals dedicated to executing the organization's vision and strategies.

ICJ Kenya's programmatic areas encompass access to justice, democratization, human rights protection, and international cooperation. Notably, it is the sole African national section of the ICJ and holds observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Through its unwavering commitment to justice and human rights, ICJ Kenya continues to be a pivotal force in shaping Kenya's legal landscape and promoting democratic principles across the African continent.

For more information, visit their official website: icj-kenya.org