NAIROBI, Kenya — The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya Section has appointed Demas Kiprono as its new Executive Director, marking a significant transition in the organisation’s leadership as it deepens its focus on justice, human rights, and digital freedoms.
The appointment takes effect on 1 January 2026, according to an official statement released by the organisation.
Kiprono, who has been serving as Deputy Executive Director, is described by ICJ Kenya as a “transformative leader from within,” credited with elevating the organisation’s visibility in digital rights advocacy and strengthening strategic interventions across the region.
With more than 14 years of experience at Amnesty International Kenya, ARTICLE 19, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, he brings a longstanding track record of human rights campaigning and policy engagement.
“Demas has shaped regional jurisprudence through strategic litigation, notably by helping to decriminalise defamation and to challenge laws restricting civic space, online and offline,” ICJ Kenya said in its statement.
His work spans security sector reform, governance, the rights of marginalised groups, and the fast-evolving intersection of human rights and technology.
A respected columnist and public commentator, Kiprono has influenced national dialogue on constitutionalism and governance through years of published analysis, including a long-running column in The Standard.
His academic background includes a Master of Laws in International Criminal and International Human Rights Law from Bangor University in the UK, with research focused on regulating Artificial Intelligence from a human-rights perspective—a theme increasingly relevant as Kenya and other African states confront questions around digital regulation, surveillance, and data protection.
His appointment comes amid heightened scrutiny of civic space in East Africa, with civil society groups frequently challenging laws and state practices that implicate constitutional guarantees under Articles 33, 34, and 37 on freedom of expression, media freedom, and assembly.
ICJ Kenya also extended “deepest gratitude” to outgoing Executive Director Eric Mukoya, praising his tenure for “visionary leadership and stability.” Mukoya has been widely recognised for strengthening the organisation’s institutional foundations and steering key initiatives on access to justice, judicial independence, and rule-of-law reforms.
In welcoming the incoming Executive Director, the organisation noted that Kiprono’s experience and strategic vision would guide ICJ Kenya through a new chapter. “We are excited to welcome Demas’s expertise and vision as we advance our mission for justice, human rights, and the rule of law,” the statement read.
The leadership change is expected to shape the organisation’s direction in the coming years, especially in areas such as civic space protection, digital rights, and constitutional governance—priority concerns for rights groups and legal practitioners as Kenya navigates emerging regulatory and political shifts.
ICJ Kenya called on its partners, supporters, and the broader public to join in supporting Kiprono as he assumes the helm, signalling continued commitment to strengthening justice systems, safeguarding rights, and defending the constitutional order.
