the Protocol, the Applicant would still not have been able to institute any cases
directly to the Court, a fact that would render his Reference moot.
17. Further, that under Article 11(3) of the Treaty, it is the Summit that should
review the state of good governance within the Community and Kenya has in
any event adhered to the principles of good governance, rule of law, social
justice and maintenance of universally accepted standards of human rights and
has taken constitutional steps to bind all State organs, State offices and Public
offices and all other persons to the same standards.
In that regard, reference
has been made to Articles 2(5), 2(6) and 10 of the Constitution of the Republic
of Kenya which provide for the place of general rules of International Law and
Treaties in the Laws of Kenya as well as national principles of governance
including good governance and human rights, respectively. Reference has also
been made to decisions of the High Court of Kenya where the government has
been held liable for past violations of human rights and the point made is that
Kenya has a robust judicial system that is capable of granting justice for alleged
violations of human rights and there is no urgent need for recourse to any other
court system including the African Court.
18. On jurisdiction, the 3rd Respondent has urged this Court to decline the
invitation to assume jurisdiction in matters involving the African Charter and
the Protocol and to hold that Kenya’s discretion to deposit a declaration under
Article 34(6) of the Protocol is not subject to this Court’s jurisdiction.
19. Lastly, that since the Reference does not seek the annulment of any Act,
regulation, directive, decision or action within the meaning of Article 30 of the
Treaty as read with Rule 24 of this Court’s Rules of Procedure, it should be
struck out with costs as against the 3rd Respondent.
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