NAIROBI. KENYA. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday 22nd May 2018 to mark the commencement of the construction of ICJ Kenya House which will be the organization’s headquarters housing the Secretariat. The property is located on Silanga Road, off Langata Road in Karen Nairobi.
The event was attended by past and current Council Members and Chairmen; ICJ Kenya members, past and present staff members, Civil Society Organizations, development partners and friends of ICJ Kenya amongst others.
Former ICJ Kenya Chairmen who graced the occasion include Former Attorney General Githu Muigai, Retired Judge Lee Muthoga, Court of Appeal Judge Justice Kathurima M’inoti, Central Bank of Kenya Chairman Mohammed Nyaoga, Mr. Wilfred Nderitu and Dr. Ken Nyaundi. The current Council members present were Chairman Kelvin Mogeni, Vice Chairman Patrick Ngunjiri, Secretary Brenda Kamau, Treasurer Chris Gitari and members Robert Mochache and Jemimah Keli.
Also in attendance were the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Chaiperson and former ICJ Kenya Executive Director Kagwiria Mbogori, Lawyer Pheroze Nowrojee, Binaita Nowrojee of Open Society, the Deputy Solicitor General Christine Agimba and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Commision Secretary Dr. Benard Mogesa amongst other distinguished guests.
ICJ Kenya Chairman Mr. Kelvin Mogeni commended the organization for its consistency for over 59 years playing a major role in progressive democratic and open societies, acting as a watchdog in promoting good governance, social cohesion, respect for the rule of law, promotion of human rights and accountability in Kenya and the region.
“This historic moment ushers in our 60th anniversary and will provide our organization with the much needed sustainability in the years to come and furtherance of our mandate of promoting human rights, governance and the rule of law in Kenya and the region.” He said.
The Chairman also said the organization has and will continue to play a critical role in complementing the government’s development efforts as well as being a critical counterbalance to government excesses during various phases of the country’s half century of independence.
He called on the membership, past Council members, partners, donors and all the stakeholders to come together to assist the organization in fully implementing this project.
“We have been renting and happy to do so. We have always paid our rent on time and haven’t caused our landlord any grief. We did the sums and determined that if we invested on this land, which turned out to be a very wise decision, we could end up owning our land and building rather than paying off someone else’s mortgage.” Added the Chairman.
Speaking during the event, former ICJ Kenya Chairman and Guest of Honor Mr. Mohammed Nyaoga recognized ICJ Kenya for the great and very important role they have historically played in the promotion of human rights, democracy and rule of law in Kenya and the region saying that since 1959, ICJ Kenya has continuously and consistently exhibited courage acting for the people sometimes at the risk of their individual lives and freedoms.
He said that ICJ Kenya’s work has led to the empowerment of citizens to participate in democratic governance, and to the enhancement of the rule of law adding that ICJ Kenya has also contributed to improved human rights protection, access to justice and the quality of justice sector institutions in the region.
“To mention just a few, internationally, ICJ Kenya has continuously supported accountability of crimes before International Criminal justice mechanisms; you recall the role played at the ICC in relation to the 2007/8 post-election violence, and the current monitoring of the trial of genocide suspects in Rwanda; advocacy work within national and regional instruments amongst others.” Said Mr. Nyaoga.
He called on all stakeholders to come together to financially assist the organization to successfully complete the construction of ICJ Kenya House as this is one of the ways that can ensure the organization meets its financial stability in the future.
ICJ Kenya purchased the property in Karen in 2011. The projected total cost for the construction of the building is Ksh. 30, 573, 725 and is expected to take about 32 weeks to complete.
