A/HRC/44/9 8. The Government had introduced universal health coverage to provide affordable health care for all, reflecting its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3. The coverage, which was soon to be rolled out across the country, had successfully been piloted in four counties. With regard to education, in 2017/18, the number of educational institutions had increased by 5.1 per cent, and in 2017, free secondary education had been introduced. 9. Kenya was the first African country to have committed to the development of a national action plan on business and human rights. Another milestone had been the recent recognition of intersex persons and the inclusion in the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census of a category to determine the number of intersex persons for policy and programmatic interventions. 10. Civic education and advocacy had been undertaken in the affected communities to end female genital mutilation and child marriage. The increased prosecution of accused persons had also played a key role in dissuading those practices. 11. In order to address environmental degradation, measures had been put in place to ensure that natural and artificial resources were exploited sustainably and responsibly, in accordance with international obligations. There had been an increase in the use of geothermal energy to provide power while reducing carbon emissions. A national climate change council had been established pursuant to the Climate Change Act (2016). 12. Challenges in the implementation of some recommendations had arisen from, among other factors, several terror attacks that had resulted in the loss of the lives of civilians and security officers. The terrorists had been heavily armed and suicidal, forcing the security personnel to use protective force, which had been misconstrued as excessive. Young people were being radicalized by extremist groups. 13. In response to advance questions, the delegation stated that the Supreme Court had ruled that the mandatory nature of the death sentence as envisaged in section 204 of the Penal Code was unconstitutional. Following that judgment, a task force set up by the Attorney General had conducted a review of the death penalty and made recommendations, including the abolition of the death penalty. 14. Besides the transformative Constitution, which gave prominence to the values and principles of governance, robust legal, policy, institutional and administrative measures had been introduced to fight corruption, including the National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Policy (2018). A bill on whistle-blowers had been drafted and was currently before Cabinet for approval. 15. Law enforcement officers received human rights training. In 2011, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority had been established to provide for civilian oversight of police officers in their enforcement of the law. Freedom from torture was guaranteed under the Constitution. Although the Prevention of Torture Act (2017), which gave effect to the State’s obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, was yet to be operationalized, alleged perpetrators of torture continued to be prosecuted under the Penal Code and the National Police Service Act. 16. Challenges remained in ensuring the equal representation of women. Two bills on the issue had previously been rejected by Parliament. However, the Representation of Special Interests Group Law (Amendment) Bill (2019), which also covered the issue, was expected to be passed. 17. A reduction in the budget of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights was not a phenomenon specific to the Commission, but also affected all government entities. 18. The National Plan of Action priorities and interventions necessary The Guidelines on Identification and Needs had also been developed. A introduced. for Children in Kenya (2015–2022) outlined the for the progressive realization of children’s rights. Referral of Children with Disabilities and Special national toll-free helpline for children had been 3