By Dorothy Musyoka
In a significant victory for Kenya and the global promotion of children’s rights, Mr. Timothy Ekesa has been elected to serve on the prestigious Committee on the Rights of the Child for the period 2025 to 2029.
Ekesa won the prestigious role in a highly contested election held during the twentieth meeting of state parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child held in New York City, US, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. The Kenyan candidate garnered 134 votes to clinch the seat.
“Kenya’s candidate, Mr. Timothy Ekesa has been elected to the Committee on the Rights of the Child for the period 2025 to 2029. The election took place during the twentieth meeting of States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child held on 23rd May 2024, in New York. He garnered 134 votes, the second highest number of votes,” announced the State Department for Foreign Affairs in a statement on Friday 24 May 2024.
Joining Mr. Ekesa in this esteemed role are eight other distinguished individuals from various countries, including Mauritania, Zambia, Belgium, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Georgia, and Moldova. Together, they will succeed outgoing members, commencing their tenure on February 28, 2025.
“The elections were hotly contested by 18 candidates, 11 from Africa vying for the 9 available seats. Mr. Ekesa was elected alongside eight other candidates from Mauritania, Zambia, Belgium, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Georgia and Moldova to replace those whose terms will expire on 28 February 2025,” read the Foreign Affairs’ statement in part.
Mr. Ekesa is the Executive Director of the Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children. He is also a child rights activist with over 29 years of experience. The Kenyan candidate is also a board member of the Eastern Africa Child Rights Network (EACRN).
He holds a Masters of Science Degree in Organizational Development from the United States International University (USIU).
The State Department for Foreign Affairs of Kenya has warmly congratulated Mr. Timothy Ekesa on his appointment to the esteemed Committee on the Rights of the Child.
The department has also emphasized the significance of this appointment, highlighting that Mr. Ekesa’s new role will elevate Kenya’s prominence in advocating for the rights of children on the international platform.
“Kenya is committed to the promotion and protection of children’s rights and is strongly convinced that Mr. Ekesa will contribute substantially to the Committee given his vast experience in child rights advocacy,” noted the Foreign Affairs department.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a body of 18 independent experts that monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by its States parties.