Securing corporate accountability for violation of human rights: towards a legal and policy framework for Kenya

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, presented to the School of Law, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand.Over the last few decades, the debate on the topic of business and human rights has dominated the international scene. Initially, the debate focused on the question whether corporations have obligations beyond making profits. This is no longer contested, and the issue now at hand is the need to define what these obligations are and to determine how they can be enforced. In the history of the development of human rights, the duty to uphold human rights and secure their protection was considered a preserve of the state. However, with changing economic dynamics and increased globalization, it is undeniable that states are no longer the only or major threat to human rights; the modern corporation, much bigger in structure and complex in operations than before, has taken its place beside the state, having as much potential as the state to negatively impact human rights. Kenya adopted a new Constitution in 2010, at the same time that John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Business and Human Rights was finalizing his mandate and putting together his findings based on research he had conducted over a number of years. The business and human rights deliberations Ruggie steered at the international level were expected to culminate in the negotiation of an internationally binding instrument. This did not happen. This study shows that the failure to propose the negotiation of a treaty was not fatal to the Business and Human Rights agenda, but rather that the alternative approach taken presents a more ideal opportunity to prepare the ground for the future negotiation of a treaty. Ruggie developed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and proposed them as a common global platform for action, an authoritative focal point to direct efforts geared at understanding the corporate obligation for human rights. Although both the Constitution of Kenya and Ruggie’s findings underscore the role of the corporation in upholding human rights, the corporate obligation with regards to human rights is not clear. The main objective of the research was therefore to give human rights obligations of corporations in Kenya greater specificity so that both corporations and the State may more effectively implement them. The study undertook to investigate what the corporate obligation for human rights entails, building on the foundation established by the 2010 Constitution, which provides for horizontal application of the Bill of Rights to juristic persons, and the guidance offered for states and corporations and other business entities through the UN Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework and the UN Guiding Principles. The study established what the obligations under the three pillars recommended in the UN Framework would mean for Kenya. The mistaken belief commonly held by corporations that corporate social responsibility is the same as human rights obligation was explored. The findings also show that the State Duty to Protect will mainly be exercised through the enactment of laws that offer guidance to corporations on what constitutes their duty and how it can be executed in practice. The study therefore recommends that amendments and additions be made to particular laws, the main one being the Companies Act of Kenya, to guide corporations in executing their human rights obligation. Furthermore, a recommendation is made that the Commission charged with implementing the Constitution include a specific section on Business and Human Rights in the National Policy and Action Plan drawn up to implement the 2010 Constitution. This will ensure that due attention is given to the subject, and a clear and comprehensive approach adopted to make corporate accountability for human rights violations a practical and realistic goal. The proposals made for the Action Plan include factors that will improve access to remedy for victims of human rights violations.MT201