President Kenyatta assents to anti-torture law

President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law the Prevention of Torture Bill that guarantees freedom from torture, cruelty and punishment.

The legislation provides for reparations to victims of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and also empowers the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights to investigate alleged violations under the Act.

The new law also empowers the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to investigate alleged violations under the Act.

It empowers the KNCHR to monitor compliance by the State with international treaty obligations relating to torture and inhuman treatment.

The KNCHR also gets the role to advise the government, liaise with public entities and work with enforcement agencies in matters relating to torture.

The president also signed into law other Bills including one to provide for the retirement age of judges as 70 years, another one to deal with retirement benefits for the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice.

The head of state further signed into law a Bill that gives the president the powers to appoint a suitable officer to act in case the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police is vacant.