President William Ruto has nominated Duncan Oburu Ojwang as the new Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
The revelation was made following a notice to the National Assembly announced by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula during a sitting on Tuesday afternoon.
"Duncan Oburu Ojwang has been nominated for appointment to the position of Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights by the President, seeking approval of the House on the nominee for appointment as the Chairperson of the Commission," Parliament stated.
Wetang'ula has further confirmed that he has forwarded Oburu's curriculum vitae alongside his other credentials to the Departmental Committee of Justice and Legal Affairs for the vetting process.
"The Speaker, Moses Masika Wetang'ula, E.G.H., MP, has referred the curriculum vitae, the Report of the Selection Panel, and other testimonials of the nominee to the Departmental Committee of Justice and Legal Affairs for vetting," Parliament noted.
If Parliament approves his nomination, Oburu will be mandated to provide strategic leadership and oversight for the commission's operations, which includes ensuring the commission fulfils its role in advocating for human rights in Kenya.
The announcement comes a day after the Head of State made two new nominations in the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
According to a notice on Monday, August 4, Ruto nominated Amani Yuda Komora as the commission's chairperson and Angeline Yiamiton Siparo as a member of the commission.
"It is notified that His Excellency the President, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 250(2)(b) of the Constitution and in accordance with the procedure set out under Section 9(5) of the National Police Service Commission Act (Chapter 85, Laws of Kenya), has nominated the Chairperson and one member of the National Police Service Commission," part of the notice read.
Confirming the nominations of the two, in a statement on Tuesday, Wetang'ula said that nominations have been referred to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, which will be expected to conduct an approval hearing within the next 21 days.
“With the House set to proceed on recess on August 15, 2025, I urge the Committee to commence the approval process immediately,” the speaker said.
"The Committee will now notify the nominees and the public of the date and venue for the approval hearings," he added.
