A/HRC/45/2 562. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomed the full cooperation of Kenya with the universal periodic review mechanism and expressed satisfaction with the replies from the Government. It noted the plans and programmes to ensure availability of housing for people with low income, and welcomed the progress made towards universal health coverage. It also noted an increase in the number of educational institutions. It encouraged Kenya to continue with its successful social policy for the benefit of the neediest. 563. Afghanistan commended Kenya for updating the information on the implementation of the recommendations and for its overall constructive engagement with the universal periodic review mechanism in the third cycle. It noted with appreciation that Kenya has accepted the three recommendations made by Afghanistan. It welcomed the commitment to ensure the protection of asylum seekers and refugees and providing them with adequate food and health services, which was more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. 564. Algeria thanked Kenya for the additional information provided. It welcomed the acceptance by Kenya of the two recommendations made by Algeria and wished Kenya success in the implementation of all supported recommendations. 4. General comments made by other stakeholders 565. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Kenya, 10 other stakeholders made statements.** 566. Edmund Rice International Limited, co-sponsored by Dominicans for Justice and Peace and Order of Preachers urged Kenya to expedite the implementation of recommendations on the prohibition of corporal punishment in schools and public institutions and on the review of the policy on special needs education. It urged Kenya to adopt the draft bills on children, mental health and persons with disabilities and consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It further urged Kenya to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement recommendations on affordable housing for low-income people, and on the development of the national public waterworks for water resources storage. 567. Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice delle Salesiane di Don Bosco, cosponsored by the International Volunteerism Organization for Women, Education and Development – VIDES, Edmund Rice International, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, Mouvement International d’Apostolat des Milieux Sociaux Indépendants and New Humanity, (by video message) stated that COVID-19 had made even more urgent the need to take concrete measures to protect the rights of the most vulnerable children and young people. Kenya should ensure accessibility to education for all, especially children in rural areas and vulnerable girls who were victims of gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and early marriage. Kenya should also increase the budget for education to cater for teacher training and to ensure adequate facilities. It remained alarmed with the raise of online trafficking, recruitment and exploitation of children, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It called on Kenya to strenghthen national policies and programmes for the protection and rehabilitation of children and other victims of trafficking, sexual exploitation and violence, and to investigate such cases and prosecute alleged perpetrators. ** The statements of stakeholders that were unable to deliver them owing to time constraints which were made available are posted on the extranet of the Human Rights Council, at https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc/HRCSessions/RegularSessions/45session/Pages/Oralstatements.aspx 97