Kenyan Constitutional Expert Calls for Integration of Human Rights Groups and Democracy Promoters
December 12, 2006
AllAfrica.com: Kenya: Guard Your Democracy Jealously, Says Ghai

In an AllAfrica.com article Prof. Yash Pal Ghai, who was chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, has blamed a lack of relationship between human rights activist and democracy promotion as an impediment to the continued growth of democracy in Kenya.  Ghai believes that “the existence of democracy is growth to human rights.”  He argues that democracy means more than the elections, calling it “an integral party of societal growth.” 

Democracy in Kenya has been “debased” partially as a result of donors focusing their resources on electoral observation efforts while ignoring “those who fight for the promotion of democracy.”  According to Ghai the growth of Kenyan democracy will require “a deeper understanding of human rights,” which will promote unity. 

Kenya is listed as “partly free” with political rights and civil liberties ratings of “3” in Freedom House’s 2006 publication of Freedom in the World.