The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has appointed veteran human rights activist Maina Kiai as the new chairperson of its board of Directors.
In a statement on Thursday, August 7, KHRC confirmed that Kiai will replace Davinder Lamba, who has served in the role since 2022. He will be deputised by Betty Okero.
According to KHRC, Kiai's extensive experience in the advocacy of human rights makes him a perfect fit for the position, especially at a time when the country is grappling with bad governance and corruption.
"He assumes the leadership of the human rights sector at a time when the soul of the nation and region is under relentless assault from severe governance abuses manifest in gross violations of fundamental freedoms and rampant grand corruption," KHRC stated.
"Kiai takes over from Davinder Lamba, a battle-hardened human rights general whose steady leadership anchored KHRC through turbulent times. KHRC salutes Lamba's dedication and strategic guidance," it added.
Kiai has served as UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and was the first chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Furthermore, Kiai has worked as Human Rights Watch's director of alliances and partnerships, according to KHRC.
Welcoming the move, Kiai noted he will be at the forefront in advocating for human rights in the country, even if it means pushing back against high-ranking government officials, including President William Ruto, who violate human rights.
"Kenya is under attack by a regime that fears its people. But we will not blink. I am committed to guiding KHRC to resist, expose, and push back against any force, be it the William Ruto regime or its enablers, that tramples rights, freedoms, and the Constitution," Kiai said.
The announcement comes two days after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula revealed that President William Ruto had appointed Duncan Oburu Ojwang as the new KNCHR chairperson.
In a parliamentary proceeding on Tuesday, August 5, Wetang'ula confirmed that he had submitted 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.
However, a day later, KHRC, in collaboration with Katiba Institute, filed a petition at the High Court to challenge the nomination of Oburu as the new KNCHR chair.
In the petition, KHRC argued that Article 250(11) of the Constitution prohibits the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of any independent commission from being of the same gender. According to the commission, the current commission's Vice Chair, Raymond Nyeris, is male.
