Prominent legal scholar and human rights expert Duncan Oburu Ojwang could be a step away from becoming the next chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
This follows his nomination by President William Ruto.
Ojwang was selected from a shortlist of six candidates interviewed in May 2025.
The other contenders were Victor Lando, Selina Iseme, Claris Awour, Edward Ngeywa, and Michael Otieno.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula formally announced Ojwang’s nomination and referred it to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) for vetting.
If approved, he will succeed Roseline Odede, who passed away in January 2025.
“I have received a communication from His Excellency the President regarding the nomination of a person for appointment as the chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR),” said Wetang’ula.
The vetting report should be submitted to the House within 28 days.
However, with the House set to proceed on recess on August 15, 2025, Wetang’ula has urged the committee to immediately commence the approval process.
Ojwang brings a wealth of experience in law, policy, and human rights, both in academia and public service.
He served as Dean of the School of Law at Africa Nazarene University from 2017 until January 2023 and has over a decade of teaching experience at both Africa Nazarene and the University of Nairobi.
His areas of expertise include Environmental Law, Human Rights, Constitutional Law, and Law and Development.
Beyond academia, Ojwang has made significant contributions in governance and peacebuilding.
He served as an election observer with the African Union and was part of the technical team behind the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), a bipartisan initiative co-led by President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He also participated in the Tumaini mediation process for South Sudan, aimed at supporting the country’s transition to democratic governance.
Ojwang's academic credentials are equally impressive.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University, a Juris Doctor (JD) from Southern Illinois University School of Law, a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Human Rights Law from Indiana University, and a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Law and Policy, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples Law, from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law.
If confirmed, Ojwang is expected to bring both scholarly depth and practical experience to the KNCHR, an institution critical to the protection and promotion of human rights in Kenya.
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