Concern for Kenya human rights head

The head of the Irish Human Rights Commission has expressed concern for the safety of his Kenyan counterpart.

The head of the Irish Human Rights Commission has expressed concern for the safety of his Kenyan counterpart.

Dr Maurice Manning said that Maina Kiai, the head of Kenya's National Commission on Human Rights, had reportedly been put under surveillance by the Kenyan authorities.

"Mr Kiai's safety is paramount in this situation. It is important for us to let the Kenyan authorities know that we expect them to fully respect Maina's freedom of speech in particular," he said.

Dr Manning was speaking on behalf of the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions, which the Irish commission chairs.