KNCHR nominee admits victims’ compensation panel encroaches on commission
President William Ruto this week gazetted a panel of experts, led by constitutional adviser Makau Mutua, to oversee compensation for victims of public interest demonstrations.
Claris Ogangah, President William Ruto’s nominee for chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), has acknowledged that the recently gazetted victims’ compensation committee has encroached on the commission’s mandate.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), Ogangah emphasised her commitment to protecting KNCHR’s role if confirmed.
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“A bit of the mandate of the task force is encroaching on the mandate of the commission, when I look at their time of their terms of reference, I did not clearly get where they got their mandate from,” Ogangah said on Thursday.
“It looks like one of those executive orders that come from the Executive. While I hope that this is not going to be the practice, when I get to be chairperson, I will ensure no one encroaches on the mandate of the commission.”
The president this week gazetted a panel of experts, led by constitutional adviser Prof Makau Mutua, to oversee compensation for victims of public interest demonstrations.
The committee includes Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo as deputy and members Kennedy Ogeto, Irungu Houghton, John Olukuru, Rev (Fr) Kennedy Simiyu, Linda Musumba, university don Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.
Ogangah, however, stressed that the committee has a limited mandate and that collaboration with KNCHR is still possible.
“While some of the mandate overlaps with that of the commission, they will still work with the commission. When I am the chair, I will ensure that whatever touches on the mandate of the commission will be protected jealously because that is how commissions are weakened,” she said.
Declaring a net worth of Sh300 million, Ogangah also promised to restore the commission’s central role.
“One area the commission has not done well is communication on the small, everyday issues. I will look at the human rights wholesomely,” she said.
The JLAC hearings also reviewed nominees for the Registrar of Political Parties. John Lorionokou, nominated as RPP chairperson, and Agatha Wahome, nominated as assistant RPP, faced questions on the Nadco Bill proposal that seeks to replace RPP with an independent Political Parties Regulatory Commission. Lorionokou opposed the plan.
“My take is that if it is working, why do you want to fix it? It is important to strengthen the office [RPP],” he said. Lorionokou declared a net worth of Sh50 million, while Wahome’s stands at Sh103 million.
The committee, chaired by Tharaka MP George Murugara, will submit its recommendations to Parliament when sessions resume on September 22. “The House will consider you when we resume from recess,” Murugara told the nominees.
Ogangah’s candid acknowledgement of mandate overlap and her firm pledge to defend KNCHR could signal tension with the Executive if confirmed.
For human rights defenders, however, her assurances provide hope that the commission may regain its role as a vigilant and independent watchdog.
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