UN expert on right to safe drinking water and sanitation launches first mission to Kenya

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, will visit Kenya from 22 to 29 July 2014 to assess the country's achievements and challenges in realizing the human rights to water and sanitation.

“I will look at disparities in access to sanitation and water between urban and rural areas, with a particular focus on sanitation,” said the independent expert charged by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor, report and advise on the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation worldwide.

“During my visit, I will pay special attention to potentially marginalized groups of people in terms of access to water and sanitation, including ethnic minorities and those living in informal urban settlements,” Ms. de Albuquerque noted.

The human rights expert, who is visiting the country at the invitation of the Kenyan authorities, will meet with representatives from the Government, as well as from international organizations, donors, civil society and communities in Nairobi, Kibera, Kisumu and Lodwar.

At the end of her nine-day visit, Ms. de Albuquerque will share with the media the preliminary findings of her mission at a press conference on 29 July at 11:00 at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi.

The Special Rapporteur will submit a comprehensive report to a forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council, which will include her findings and recommendations to the Government of Kenya.