Ruto nominates Duncan Ojwang’ to chair Kenya Human Rights Commission

President William Ruto has officially nominated Dr Duncan Ojwang’ to chair the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

In a communication to the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, President Ruto formally nominated Dr Ojwang’ to the KNCHR chairperson position and forwarded his name to the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) for vetting.

This follows the death of former KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odhiambo Odede, who passed away in January this year.

“The Speaker, Moses Masika Wetang’ula, has referred the curriculum vitae, the report of the selection panel, and other testimonials of the nominee to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for vetting,” read a notice from the National Assembly.

Dr Ojwang’ is a legal scholar with extensive expertise in human rights law, policy, and constitutional matters at both national and international levels. He previously served as Dean of the School of Law at Africa Nazarene University for over six years, from 2017 to January 2023.

He has taught law for more than a decade at both the University of Nairobi and Africa Nazarene University, specialising in subjects such as Environmental Law, Law and Development, Human Rights, and Constitutional Law.

Throughout his career, Dr Ojwang’ has served in various capacities. He was part of Kenya’s state delegation and acted as a researcher in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against Ruto, who faced charges of crimes against humanity.

He also served as an election observer with the African Union and was a member of the technical team that prepared the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, a bipartisan initiative led by President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Additionally, he took part in the Tumaini mediation process for South Sudan, which aimed to pave the way for the country’s first democratic elections.

Dr Ojwang’ holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University, a Juris Doctor (JD) from Southern Illinois University School of Law, a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Human Rights Law from Indiana University School of Law, and a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Law and Policy, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples Law, from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law.

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