Duncan Ojwang Rejects President Ruto’s Nomination As KNCHR Chairperson

Duncan Oburu Ojwang has turned down President William Ruto's nomination to the position of Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). 

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, in a communication on Tuesday, August 12, said he received a letter from Ojwang declining the nomination.

Ojwang cited personal reasons and a conflict of interest as the basis for his decision to reject the nomination.

He was scheduled to appear before the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on Wednesday, August 13, for vetting.

Wetang’ula directed the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to cease any further consideration of the nominee.

He also directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to notify the appointing authority of the development.

President Ruto nominated Ojwang to the position on August 5, 2025, and forwarded his name to the National Assembly for approval.

The KNCHR chairperson position became vacant following the death of Roseline Odhiambo Odede in January.

On August 6, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC)and Katiba Institute filed a petition in the High Court challenging Ojwang’s nomination to the commission.

In the petition, KHRC and the Katiba Institute argued that the Constitution requires the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of any independent commission to be of different genders.

They argued that the nomination violated both the Constitution and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act, emphasizing the requirement for gender diversity.

“The current Vice-Chairperson, Dr. Raymond Nyeris, is male. Despite this, the selection panel invited, shortlisted, and recommended another male, Dr. Ojwang, for the position, and the President subsequently nominated him,” KHRC said in a statement.