Roseline Odede eulogised as selfless defender of human rights during requiem mass

The late Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Chairperson Roseline Odede succumbed to cancer, her family revealed on Thursday afternoon ending days of worry over what may have led to her perceived sudden demise.

While giving his tribute at All Saints Cathedral, Dr Jorry Odede said his wife succumbed to cancer after months of diagnosis and treatment.

"Despite all the efforts, we lost Dhiambie on January 3, 2025, at around 2:30 pm.

Her death has disturbed a lot of people because most met her when she was okay. But she was diagnosed with a tumour of the stomach in Eldoret and died of cancer," he said.

Her family said they had hoped she would return to work in mid-January but the unexpected happened.

She succumbed on January 3, this year.

Dr Odede fondly referred to her as "Rossy" or Dhiambie the girl he first met in 1992, fell in love with and married a year later.

"Roseline was an extraordinary human being, a pillar of the family," he said.

The two were blessed with two children Clara and Dianne.

Clara said her mother was a dear friend to many both in high places and the ordinary mama mboga.

"We have lost a deeply humane and immensely compassionate sister," Mrs Odede's sister Leah, added.

Friends and colleagues described the distinguished lawyer as a compassionate leader, dedicated human rights advocate, selfless giver and mentor to many not just in the judicial sector where she served as Deputy Chairperson Judges and Magistrates vetting board, and in the human rights sector where her strong stand was reflected in the work of the commission and in the law society where she served at some point amongst other professional associations.

Her friends and colleagues filled the cathedral to pay their tributes and last respects ahead of her internment in Kisumu County on Friday.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga who worked alongside Odede at the Taskforce on Police and Prison Service reforms where she headed the legal committee urged Kenyans inspired by her to exemplify her legacy as he called on the government to end cases of abductions as she stated in her statement on December 26, 2024 when she spoke about the current spate of abductions.

At the time, many were not aware of her health battles but she nevertheless challenged the government to release all illegally detained persons and let Kenyans know who was behind the spate of abductions.

Other dignitaries present at the memorial service included; the UN resident Coordinator, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, judges, magistrates, lawyers including their President Faith Odhiambo, members of the diplomatic community, Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, Solicitor General Shadrack Mose, heads of independent commissions, and politicians.

"Let us not be hypocrites at the burial of the foremost defender of human rights, if we are going to fully honour her, let us not stand and make statements that we know we will not follow through. Let us all in honour of Roseline do what she did and speak truth to power," Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna urged.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo said Odede passed on while still pushing for more funding to the commission for it to effectively deliver on its mandate.

"When I went to see her, cancer had taken a toll on her but not her spirit. She told me I am fighting this, I leave my external body to doctors but my internal strength is intact," he said.

Her remains shall be interred at a private ceremony after the burial service on Friday.