Kenya: Making progress with national implementation of IHL

09-07-2014 Feature

The second regional seminar on national implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) took place in Naivasha, Kenya, from 17–19 June 2014. Jointly organized by the ICRC and the State Law Office of the Government of Kenya, it brought together 21 government representatives from seven African countries.

Naivasha, Kenya, 18 June 2014. Some of the participants listening keenly to a presentation during the regional seminar on implementation of international humanitarian law. 

Naivasha, Kenya, 18 June 2014. Some of the participants listening keenly to a presentation during the regional seminar on implementation of international humanitarian law.
/ CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / L. Kamau

The seminar was officially opened by the Attorney General of Kenya, Prof. Githu Muigai, who in his opening statement highlighted the importance of sharing best practices in the implementation of IHL within the region and how this would enhance protection for people affected by armed conflicts.

He said: “It is in these meetings that we hope to compare notes on best practices, identify areas of common interest and form a confluence strong enough to harmonize the process of implementing international humanitarian law.”

Highlighting progress

A series of presentations by representatives during the seminar highlighted the progress made on implementation of IHL in their respective states, namely Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

Naivasha, Kenya, 18 June 2014. John Joseph Wamwara, legal officer with the ICRC Nairobi regional delegation, gives a presentation on multinational forces and IHL. 

Naivasha, Kenya, 18 June 2014. John Joseph Wamwara, legal officer with the ICRC Nairobi regional delegation, gives a presentation on multinational forces and IHL.
/ CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / L. Kamau

One of the presentations was given by Lt Col. David Okello, a member of the IHL National Implementation Committee in Uganda which was formed in 2010 and inaugurated in 2011. Since then, Uganda has ratified the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (the Ottawa Convention) and the Chemical Weapons Convention, while the country’s fire arms bill is currently being drafted.

By sharing mutual experiences and best practices at these regional seminars, the participating countries have the opportunity to review the progress being made in implementation of IHL-related treaties both domestically and internationally.

For its part, The ICRC was able to update participants on new developments in the field of IHL, as well as new tools that have been developed to facilitate the process of national implementation.

As the custodian of international humanitarian law, the ICRC endeavours to prevent human suffering by promoting and strengthening instruments of IHL. By providing technical support for the development, application, comprehension and dissemination of IHL, the organization helps individual states to fulfil its national obligations in the implementation of IHL.