The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has appointed Maina Kiai, a lawyer and human rights activist, as the new chairperson of its board of directors.
In a statement released Thursday, August 7, KHRC noted that Betty Okero will deputize Kiai.
Kiai 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 manifested in gross violations of fundamental rights and rampant grand corruption.
The newly appointed chairperson wears the title of 'Chief' after his installation as paramount chief of the Mende community for his human rights work in Sierra Leone.
Kiai is recognized as a distinguished and bold icon in the fight for justice, bringing decades of frontline experience and political leadership to defend civil liberties and human rights both in Kenya and globally.
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He has served as UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and was the inaugural chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Most recently, he worked as Human Rights Watch's director of alliances and partnerships, returning to an organization he had previously served as Africa Director and was the founding executive director of KHRC.
"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 on rights, freedoms, and the Constitution,” Kiai stated, following the appointment.
The commission expressed optimism about looking forward to a renewed and fearless chapter in defending human rights and freedoms under the new leadership structure.
