Human Rights and Freedom in Kenya

Kenya Republic of Kenya [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	130th best
Location	Africa
Population	51.4m1
Life Expectancy	61.43yrs (2017)2

Kenya is generally poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world. Kenya does better than average for freethought₃ and in combatting modern slavery₄. When it comes to most other metrics, Kenya does not do well. It does worse than average in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₅ (yet still one of the best in Africa), its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₆, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₇ (still good for Africa), supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₈ (still good for Africa), its average Freedom in the World rating (still low for Africa), its nominal commitment to Human Rights₉, supporting press freedom₁₀, opposing gender inequality₁₁ and in LGBT equality in the 2020s₁₂. Security forces and law enforcement staff can veer into abusive, including physically violent, tactics in order to suppress human rights, government critics, journalists and opposition politicians, including extrajudicial killings₁₃.

1. Kenya's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets
   1. Press Freedom
   2. Slavery in the 2020s
   3. Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom
   4. Freedom in the World
   5. Human Rights Watch Comments
   6. Nominal Commitment to HR
   7. HR Treaties Lag
3. Gender Equality Datasets
   1. Gender Inequality
   2. Gender Biases
   3. Year Women Can Vote
4. Prejudice Datasets
   1. Anti-Semite Opinions
   2. LGBT Equality in the 2020s
   3. Freedom of Thought
5. Links

---

1. Kenya's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #kenya #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Africa (2025)14
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank14
1	Cape Verde	66.3
2	S. Africa	70.7
3	Mauritius	74.9
	...
20	Ivory Coast	110.4
21	Sao Tome & Principe	111.8
22	Tanzania	112.4
23	Kenya	114.0
24	Congo, (Brazzaville)	114.4
25	Morocco	114.4
26	Gambia	115.0
27	Guinea-Bissau	115.8
28	Uganda	119.2
	Africa Avg	110.04
q=54.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)14
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank14
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
140	Laos	113.3
141	China	113.4
142	Vatican City	113.6
143	Kenya	114.0
144	Congo, (Brazzaville)	114.4
145	Morocco	114.4
146	Gambia	115.0
147	Guinea-Bissau	115.8
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₁₅. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₁₅.

31 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₅, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₁₅.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Kenya stated:

“The police used excessive and sometimes lethal force to break up protests. The right to life continued to be violated. Over 100 people were unlawfully killed; the incoming president disbanded a police unit he said was responsible for such killings. Millions suffered hunger due to prolonged drought. The government continued to struggle to protect social and economic rights, including to housing and health. Steps were made towards the realization of women�€�s and girls�€� rights. The High Court directed parliament to enact legislation allowing abortion in some circumstances.”

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₁₆

Between 2016 and 2017 Human rights observers documented "a range of rights abuses by the security forces in military and law enforcement operations ... including extrajudicial killings"₁₃.

2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

2.1. Press Freedom

#democracy #freedom #Freedom_of_Speech #Good_Governance #mass_media #politics #UK

Press Freedom Higher is better10
Pos.		202510
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
113	Georgia	50.53
114	Colombia	49.80
115	Philippines	49.57
116	Kenya	49.41
117	Equatorial Guinea	48.68
118	Mali	48.23
119	Morocco	48.0417
120	Togo	48.03
	Africa Avg	52.30
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

Kenya comes 116th in the world regarding supporting press freedom.

The freedom to investigate, publish information, and have access to others' opinion is a fundamental part of today's information-driven world, and is linked with Freedom of Speech and Good Governance. Scores on the Press Freedom Index are calculated according to indicators including pluralism - the degree to which opinions are represented in the media, media independence of authorities, self-censorship, legislation, transparency and the infrastructure that supports news and information, and, the level of violence against journalists which includes lengths of imprisonments. The index "does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted". The rankings are used as one of the datasets of the Social and Moral Development Index₁₈

It must be noted that press freedom is not an indicator of press quality and the press itself can be abusive; the UK suffers in particular from a popular brand of nasty reporting that infuses several of its newspapers who are particularly prone to running destructive and often untrue campaigns against victims. The Press Freedom Index notes that "the index should in no way be taken as an indicator of the quality of the media in the countries concerned".

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

“Over the past five years, Kenyan authorities have used legal, administrative, and informal measures to restrict media [including beatings and threats]. In the lead up to the 2017 elections, journalists and bloggers reporting on sensitive issues such as land, corruption, and security faced threats, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and physical assaults.”

"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₃

Averages by decade for Kenya (for the ranks, lower is better):

Press Freedom	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Kenya:	24.47	69.12
World Rank:	97th	⇡  94th
World Avg:	27.44	65.91

2.2. Slavery in the 2020s

#burundi #eritrea #human_rights #indonesia #slavery

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better4
Pos.		Total Per 10004
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
69	Malawi	4.90
70=	Zimbabwe	5.00
70=	Cambodia	5.00
70=	Kenya	5.00
70=	Brazil	5.00
74	Zambia	5.10
75=	Mali	5.20
75=	Laos	5.20
	Africa Avg	6.90
	World Avg	7.15
q=160.

In terms of combatting modern slavery, Kenya ranks 70th in the world.

Modern slavery includes forced labour (often of the under-age), debt bondage (especially generational), sexual slavery, chattel slavery and other forms of abuse, some of which can be surprisingly difficult to detect, but often target those fleeing from warzones, and the poverty-stricken vulnerable.₁₉. Some industries (diamond, clothing, coal) from some countries (Burundi₂₀, Eritrea₂₀, Indonesia₂₁) are a particular concern. The Walk Free Foundation, say in their 2023 report, that 50 million people are living in modern slavery₂₀, and, nearly two-thirds of those in forced labour are employed at the end of supply chains working for large multinationals that creating products consumed by rich countries₂₂.

For more, see:

• "The Historical Slave Trade and Modern Slavery" by Vexen Crabtree (2018).

Averages by decade for Kenya (for the ranks, lower is better):

Slavery	2010s  Average	2020s  Average
Kenya:	6.90	5.00
World Rank:	124th	⇡  70th
World Avg:	6.54	7.15

2.3. Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom

#freedom #politics

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better8
Pos.		2014 Rank8
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
86=	Rwanda	85
87	India	87
88=	Burkina Faso	88
88=	Kenya	88
88=	Bahrain	88
91	Jordan	91
92	Cape Verde	92
93	Botswana	93
	Africa Avg	114.2
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

With respect to supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, Kenya is positioned 88th in the world.

The Human Freedom Index published by the Fraser Institute is...

“... a broad measure of human freedom, understood as the absence of coercive constraint. It uses 79 distinct indicators of personal and economic freedom in the following areas: Rule of Law, Security and Safety, Movement, Religion, Association, Assembly, and Civil Society, Expression, Relationships, Size of Government, Legal System and Property Rights, Access to Sound Money, Freedom to Trade Internationally, Regulation of Credit, Labor, and Business. [...]

The highest levels of freedom are in Western Europe, Northern Europe, and North America (Canada and the United States. The lowest levels are in the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. [...]

Countries in the top quartile of freedom enjoy a significant higher per capita income ($37,147) [compared with] the least-free quartile [at] $8,700). The HFI finds a strong correlation between human freedom and democracy.”

"The Human Freedom Index" by The Fraser Institute (2016)₂₃

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.4. Freedom in the World

#freedom #human_rights #hungary #politics #USA

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
111=	Georgia	4.0
111=	Guatemala	4.0
111=	Zambia	4.0
111=	Kenya	4.0
111=	Ivory Coast	4.0
111=	Honduras	4.0
111=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	4.0
111=	Armenia	4.0
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Still low for Africa Kenya comes 110th in the world regarding its average Freedom in the World rating.

Freedom House's long-standing annual report has been running since the 1970s, collecting data on political rights (PR) and civil liberties (CL). Their reports rate countries as "Free", "Partially Free" or "Not Free", however the results here are based on their numerical values. Many countries score the best combination of scores (1 and 1), which is why the table of results show many places equally placed in 1st place. In the past two decades, some well-established democracies like the USA and Hungary have been falling. Whilst most of the world in general is improving rights and freedoms over time, the 2020s has seen some regression.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Averages by decade for Kenya (for the ranks, lower is better):

Freedom in the World	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Kenya:	4.7	5.4	5.8	3.8	3.9
World Rank:	81st	⇣  113th	⇣  165th	⇡  121st	⇣  122nd
World Avg:	4.3	4.2	3.6	3.4	3.4

2.5. Human Rights Watch Comments

#human_rights

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better7
Pos.		2017 Score7
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
66=	Ecuador	-3
66=	Colombia	-3
66=	Bolivia	-3
69=	Kenya	-4
69=	Philippines	-4
69=	Nigeria	-4
69=	Vietnam	-4
69=	Morocco	-4
	Africa Avg	-5.6
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Kenya ranks 69th in the world regarding commentary in Human Rights Watch reports.

Human Rights Watch comments concentrate mostly on negative issues, however, they also make positive comments for those countries that engage in human rights defence around the world, or who make improvements at home. By adding up positive and negative comments (including double-points for negatives that involve large scales and crimes against humanity), the Social and Moral Index turns HRW commentary into quantified values. Some countries may be unfairly penalized because HRW have not examined them, and, some countries "get away" with abuses if they manage to hide it, or if it goes unnoticed - a negative point has been given for those countries in which HRW specifically state that access to investigators has been barred. The points were limited to a minimum of -10 because there are some points at which things are so bad, with abuses affecting so many, it is difficult to be more specific about the depths of the issues.

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.6. Nominal Commitment to HR

#human_rights

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better9
Pos.		2009 Treaties9
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
110=	Bangladesh	15
110=	Mozambique	15
112=	Dominican Rep.	14
112=	Kenya	14
112=	Japan	14
112=	Jamaica	14
112=	Jordan	14
112=	China	14
	Africa Avg	14.8
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

Kenya ranks 112th in the world regarding its nominal commitment to Human Rights.

There are many international agreements on human rights, and, many mechanisms by which countries can be brought to account for their actions. Together, these have been the biggest historical movement in the fight against oppression and inhumanity. Or, putting it another way: these are rejected mostly by those who wish to oppress inhumanely. None of them are perfect and many people object to various components and wordings, but, no-one has come up with, and enforced, better methods of controlling the occasional desires that states and peoples have of causing angst for other states and peoples in a violent, unjust or inhumane way. Points are awarded for the number of human rights agreements ratified by the country, plus the acceptance of the petition mechanisms for disputes. The maximum possible score in 2009 was 24.

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.7. HR Treaties Lag

#human_rights #international_law #micronesia #politics #small_islands

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better24
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty24
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
67	Netherlands	8.29
68	Belgium	8.30
69	Greece	8.44
70	Kenya	8.58
71	Eritrea	8.66
72=	Paraguay	8.78
72=	Burkina Faso	8.78
74	Belize	8.88
	Africa Avg	9.88
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Kenya is positioned 70th in the world with regard to speed of uptake of HR treaties.

Human Rights (HR) Treaties Lag is a count of how long it took each country to sign each of 11 key HR treaties. From the date of the first signatory of each treaty, all other countries have one point added to their score for each day they delayed in signing. Results are presented as average time in years to sign each one. The lower a country's score, the more enthusiastically it has taken on international Human Rights Treaties - which are, of course, minimal standards of good governance. The slowest are the countries of Micronesia, Melanesia, Australasia and Polynesia all lagged by over 12 years per treaty. The best regions are The Americas, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

3. Gender Equality Datasets

Kenya is an unequal country, with male rights dominating those of women.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)
• "Christianity and Women: Biblical Misogyny and Male Dominance" by Vexen Crabtree (2019)

3.1. Gender Inequality

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #women

Gender Inequality Lower is better11
Pos.		202211
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
135	Angola	0.53
136	Gabon	0.53
137	Uganda	0.53
138	Kenya	0.54
139	Tonga	0.55
140	Sudan	0.55
141	Cameroon	0.56
142	Lesotho	0.56
	Africa Avg	0.53
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

Kenya ranks 138th in the world regarding opposing gender inequality.

The UN Human Development Reports include statistics on gender equality which take into account things like maternal mortality, access to political power (seats in parliament) and differences between male and female education rates. Gender inequality is not a necessary part of early human development. Although a separation of roles is almost universal due to different strengths between the genders, this does not have to mean that women are subdued, and, such patriarchalism is not universal in ancient history. Those cultures and peoples who shed, or never developed, the idea that mankind ought to dominate womankind, are better cultures and peoples than those who, even today, cling violently to those mores.

For more, see:

• "Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

Note there was only 1 datapoint in the 1990s but it's consistent with the following decades' trends, so its still listed as an 'average' for the 1990s.

Averages by decade for Kenya (for the ranks, lower is better):

Gender Inequality	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Kenya:	0.68	0.65	0.56
World Rank:	101st	⇣  132nd	⇣  138th
World Avg:	0.44	0.41	0.37

3.2. Gender Biases

#gender #gender_equality #prejudice #women

Gender Biases Lower is better5
Pos.		2022 %5
1	Sweden	31.825
2	New Zealand	34.426
3	Australia	37.026
	...
53	Thailand	95.526
54	Iran	95.526
55	Lebanon	95.626
56	Kenya	95.726
57	Tunisia	96.826
58	Zambia	97.127
59	S. Africa	97.125
60	Mongolia	97.426
	Africa Avg	98.10
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

Kenya comes 56th in the world when it comes to the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators) (amongst the lowest in Africa).

The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) looks at gender biases across seven criteria; the % given here is for the total people who are biased across any of those criteria. By subtracting the value from 100%, you can see that those who do well on this index, you are seeing a count of those who do not appear to be biased against women in any of the criteria, and so, doing well on this index is a very positive sign for any country.

The data was included in UN (2022) with full results in Annex table AS6.7.1; their data stems for ranges between 2005 and 2022, depending on the country in question.

3.3. Year Women Can Vote

#christianity #gender_equality #human_rights #politics #women

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
138=	Algeria	1962
139=	Morocco	1963
139=	Iran	1963
139=	Kenya	1963
139=	Fiji	1963
139=	Afghanistan	1963
139=	Equatorial Guinea	1963
139=	Bahamas	1963
	Africa Avg	1961
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Kenya is positioned 139th in the world regarding the year from which women could participate in democracy.

Women now have equal rights in the vast majority of countries across the world. Although academic literature oftens talks of when a country "grants women the right to vote", this enforces a backwards way of thinking. Women always had the right to vote, however, they were frequently denied that right. The opposition to women's ability to vote in equality with man was most consistently and powerfully opposed by the Catholic Church, other Christian organisations, Islamic authorities and some other religious and secular traditionalists.

For more, see:

• "Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

4. Prejudice Datasets

4.1. Anti-Semite Opinions

#antisemitism #christianity #germany #indonesia #jordan #judaism #laos #morocco #netherlands #pakistan #philippines #religion #religious_violence #saudi_arabia #spain #sweden #turkey #UK #vietnam

Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better6
Pos.		2014 %6
1	Laos	0
2	Philippines	3
3	Sweden	4
	...
58=	Romania	35
58=	Cameroon	35
58=	Paraguay	35
58=	Kenya	35
62=	Lithuania	36
62=	Guatemala	36
64=	France	37
64=	Chile	37
	Africa Avg	45.9
	World Avg	36.8
q=101.

With regard to its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, Kenya comes 59th in the world.

Anti-Semitism is the word given to irrational racism against Jews. It's not the same as anti-Judaism (arguments against the religion) nor the same as anti-Zionism (arguments against Israel). In history, influential Christian theologians concocted the arguments against Jews that led, very early on, to widespread Christian action against Jews_28,29,30,31. As Christianity rose to power in the West and presided over the Dark Ages, there were repeated violent outbursts against Jews of the most horrible kind. Entire Crusades were aimed at them and the feared Spanish Inquisition paid Jews particular attention. The horror of the holocaust instigated by German Nazis in the 1940s was followed (finally) by the era of European human rights and a movement against racism in general.

The places that are the least anti-Semitical are a few countries of south-east Asia (Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam) and some of the secular liberal democracies of Europe (Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK). The worst countries for antisemitism are Islamic states of the Middle East₃₂, which are undergoing their own Dark Age. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey see the most oppressive and violent actions towards Jews_33,34. Jews in Muslim countries face a host of restrictions and "ceaseless humiliation and regular pogroms"₃₅. In 2004 the European Union Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia reported on violent anti-Jew crimes in the EU and found that that largest group of perpetrators were young Muslim males₃₆.

For more, see:

• "Anti-Semitism" by Vexen Crabtree (2017).

4.2. LGBT Equality in the 2020s

#equality #homosexuality #human_rights #ICCPR #intolerance #kenya #sexuality #tolerance

Kenya's legal system is needlessly prejudiced against LGBT folk and government fails to tackle homophobia and other social ills.

“Constitutional challenges regarding Kenya´s anti-homosexuality laws and the use of forced anal examinations remained pending before the courts. The Kenya Medical Association condemned forced anal exams. The attorney general established a task force in May 2017 to study policy reforms regarding intersex persons.”

"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₃

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better12
Pos.		Total Score12
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
168	Grenada	-4.83
169=	Sri Lanka	-4.87
169=	Liberia	-4.87
169=	Kenya	-4.87
169=	St Vincent & Grenadines	-4.87
169=	Jamaica	-4.87
174	Solomon Islands	-4.88
175=	Tanzania	-5.00
	Africa Avg	-3.78
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215.

Kenya is 169th in the world in terms of LGBT equality in the 2020s.

Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) folk is rife across the world. Legal restrictions co-exist alongside social stigmatisation and physical violence₃₇. LGBT tolerance and equal rights have been fought for country-by-country against tightly entrenched cultural and religious opposition. Adult consensual sexual activity is a Human Right and protected by privacy laws₃₈. Despite this, it is illegal to be homosexual in over 60 countries (as of 2025)₃₉. The Vexen LGBT Equality Index as part of the Social and Moral Development Index grants points to each country depending on its LGBT stance since the 1970s_40,41. Europe is by far the least prejudiced region, but in the Middle East and Africa cultural prejudice goes hand-in-hand with state intolerance, all too often including physical violence.

For more, see:

• " LGBT Rights Across the World: Which are the Best and Worst Countries?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Penal Code Sections 162�€“165 criminalize �€�carnal knowledge�€�; up to 14 years

ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Kenya had no legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination. They documented cases of LGBT folk being arrested as a result of discriminatory laws within the previous few years. They documented cases of LGBT folk being arrested as a result of discriminatory laws within the previous few years.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

•  ⇣  Opposed the 2008 Declaration at the UN General Assemly affirming LGBTQ rights tabled by Argentina.
•  ⇣  Voted against the 2014 Resolution 27/32 at the UN Human Rights Council against discrimiantion based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
•  ⇣  Voted against the 2016 UN Human Rights Council Resolution 32/2 to create the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Averages by decade for Kenya (for the ranks, lower is better):

LGBT Equality	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average	2020s  Average
Kenya:	-5.00	-5.00	-5.00	-6.00	-7.05	-4.87
World Rank:	136th	⇣  138th	⇣  148th	⇣  163rd	⇣  193rd	⇡  169th
World Avg:	-2.98	-2.87	-2.60	-2.15	-1.10	-1.21

4.3. Freedom of Thought

#europe #freedom_of_belief #freethought #human_rights #netherlands #religion #religious_tolerance #secularism #the_enlightenment

Freedom of Thought Lower is better3
Pos.		20213
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
46=	Fiji	2.5
46=	Niger	2.5
46=	Senegal	2.5
46=	Kenya	2.5
46=	Romania	2.5
46=	Mali	2.5
46=	Bhutan	2.5
46=	Tonga	2.5
	Africa Avg	3.1
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

With regard to freethought, Kenya is positioned 44th in the world.

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Belief are upheld in Article 18 the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights₄₂. It affirms that it is a basic human right that all people are free to change their beliefs and religion as they wish₄₃. No countries voted against this (although eight abstained). This right was first recognized clearly in the policies of religious toleration of the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the post-enlightenment era₄₄ of the 19th century. In democratic countries, freedom of belief and religion is now taken for granted₄₅. In 2016 a study found that over 180 countries in the world had come to guarantee freedom of religion and belief₄₆. The best countries at doing so are Belgium, The Netherlands and Taiwan_3,47 and the worst: Afghanistan, N. Korea, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia_3,48.

Long-term studies have shown that religious violence and persecution both decrease in cultures where religious freedom is guaranteed₄₉. Despite this, there still are many who are strongly against freedom of belief₄₃, including entire cultures and many individual communities of religious believers. Their alternative is that you are not free to believe what you want and they often state that you cannot change religion without being punished (often including the death penalty): this is bemoaned as one of the most dangerous elements of religion₅₀ and "the denial of religious freedoms is inevitably intertwined with the denial of other freedoms"₅₁ and the solution is, everywhere, to allow religious freedom and the freedom of belief.

For more, see:

• "Freethought - Freedom of Belief and Freedom of Religion" by Vexen Crabtree (2022).