NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has nominated legal scholar Dr Duncan Ojwang’ as the new chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), setting the stage for a key appointment in the country’s human rights oversight body.
In a formal communication to the National Assembly on Tuesday, the President forwarded Dr Ojwang’s name to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) for vetting, alongside his curriculum vitae and testimonials.
The nomination follows the passing of former KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odhiambo Odede in January.
Dr Ojwang’, a respected academic and human rights expert, brings over 15 years of legal and policy experience to the role.
He previously served as Dean of the School of Law at Africa Nazarene University between 2017 and 2023 and has also taught at the University of Nairobi.
His areas of expertise include environmental law, constitutional law, development, and human rights.
Beyond academia, Ojwang’ has held various high-level policy roles both locally and internationally.
He was part of Kenya’s delegation and a researcher during the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings involving President Ruto, who was facing charges of crimes against humanity at the time.
He has also contributed to major regional and national peace efforts, including the Tumaini mediation process for South Sudan’s democratic transition and the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report—a bipartisan reform initiative spearheaded by President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Ojwang’ has served as an election observer with the African Union and regularly advises on constitutional, electoral, and indigenous peoples’ rights.
His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University, a Juris Doctor (JD) from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Human Rights Law from Indiana University, and a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) from the University of Arizona, where he specialised in Indigenous Peoples Law.
The vetting process by JLAC is expected to commence in the coming days. If approved, Dr Ojwang’ will take over a critical institution mandated to promote and protect human rights in Kenya, at a time when questions around governance, policing, and civic freedoms continue to dominate public discourse.
