UN official lauds Egerton Varsity for promoting human rights education

United Nations (UN) Human Rights has entered into a partnership with Egerton University Faculty of Law to launch a programme in human rights.

The UN body donated several human rights books at the Nakuru-based campus library to boost the legal studies at the institution.

The UN senior Human Rights Adviser at the office of the High Commissioner for Rights in Kenya, Li Fung said she was impressed by the good job done by the faculty to sensitise the public on domestic violence and basic human rights.

“We hope to continue donating vital human rights books and other materials to assist students to get a better understanding of the human rights law issues as they pursue their legal studies," said Ms Li.

Legal Aid project

Ms Li, who was accompanied by National Programme Officer-Human Rights Claris Ogangah Onyango, spoke at Nakuru Town faculty of Law on Monday.   

Vice-Chancellor Prof Rose Mwonya thanked the UN body for donating the books saying it will boost the ongoing Legal Aid project by the faculty.

“As a university, let me register my appreciation for the book donation because such resourceful books are not readily available and most of the time they are very expensive," said Prof Mwonya.

Prof Mwonya revealed that the chiefs and community leaders who have been trained by the faculty through the legal Aid Project have been resourceful in resolving disputes in society.  

 The Dean Faculty of Law Dr Ruth Anyango Aura said the book donation was coming at a time when the faculty was fast-tracking the launch of the Master's degree Law programme at the university.

Egerton University is set to join University of Nairobi and Strathmore University which are offering Master’s degree in Law programme.

Human rights

“So many people want to pursue a Master’s degree in Law but institutions across the country are limited and as a young faculty we want to grow progressively and train future human rights lawyers. The programme has been approved and we can start the Human Rights Master’s degree programme,” said Dr Aura.

Dr Aura said that the faculty was working closely with the administration to ensure the residents are sensitised on basic laws.

She said that several chiefs and community leaders, being the first respondents to complaints from the residents at grassroots, have been trained in nearly all the 11 sub-counties of the county. "Being our ambassadors at the community level, they attend our legal aid clinic and we allocate them two hours to try and resolve some of the disputes and reconcile the families on cases of domestic violence," said Dr Aura

“We want them to utilise the skills learnt to bring peace and harmony and justice in their communities," added Dr Aura.

"We emphasise on resolving disputes without going to court and should there be complicated cases, they can refer them to our offices."

Dr Aura revealed that the chiefs and community leaders are trained on basic human rights to help the vulnerable and the marginalised communities.