Ruto nominates Duncan Oburu as KNCHR chair
The nomination was formally announced in the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula
President William Ruto has nominated Duncan Oburu Ojwang as the next Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), with the name now before Parliament for vetting and approval.
The nomination was formally announced in the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who said the President was seeking the House’s endorsement to appoint Oburu to lead the human rights commission.
"Duncan Oburu Ojwang has been nominated for appointment to the position of Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights by the President, seeking approval of the House on the nominee for appointment as the Chairperson of the Commission," Parliament stated.
Wetang'ula added that Oburu’s curriculum vitae and credentials had already been forwarded to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs to initiate 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.
If approved by the House, Oburu will be expected to guide the commission in advancing its mandate of promoting and protecting human rights across the country.
The nomination comes a day after the President proposed changes to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), naming Amani Yuda Komora as the new chairperson and Angeline Yiamiton Siparo as a member.
"It is notified that His Excellency the President, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 250(2)(b) of the Constitution and in accordance with the procedure set out under Section 9(5) of the National Police Service Commission Act (Chapter 85, Laws of Kenya), has nominated the Chairperson and one member of the National Police Service Commission," part of the notice read.
The Speaker confirmed on Tuesday that the two police commission nominations had been forwarded to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security for consideration.
“With the House set to proceed on recess on August 15, 2025, I urge the Committee to commence the approval process immediately,” Wetang'ula said.
He noted that the committee would soon notify the public and nominees of the date and venue for the approval hearings.
