Kilonzo says push for rights team split still on

Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo says he will not relent in a push to split a proposed rights commission into three entities.

Mr Kilonzo said the proposed split follows a careful look at the new Constitution.

“Stop being casual about the Bills, reject the split at your own peril,” he said on Tuesday.

“There are benefits or rights and powers that are conferred to those bodies including women, children, people with disabilities,” he said.

Two main commissions — the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and the National Commission on Gender and Development — deal with human rights issues.  

Debate raging

Under the new Constitution, they are combined into one, the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission but debate has been on raging whether they should be merged or not. 

The Commission on Implementation of the Constitution has already drafted separate Bills for the three commissions, which are due for debate after they get Cabinet approval.

Mr Kilonzo said his ministry had made the proposals and it was now up to Parliament to make a decision.

The minister dismissed cost arguments being advanced by those opposed to the split.

“I am amazed that people look at costs and fail to value the idea behind the proposal,” he said.