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A close ally of President William Ruto has turned down a nomination for the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) chairmanship.
In a letter written to the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Duncan Ojwang, who was nominated to the position of the KNCHR Chairman, has cited personal reasons as the reason for declining the nomination.
Wetangula communicated the nominee’s decision on Tuesday, August 12, on the floor of the National Assembly.
“You will recall that following receipt of a nomination from His Excellency the President of Duncan Oburu Ojwang for appointment as the Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the name and curriculum vitae were referred to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for consideration and reporting to the House.
Dr. Ojwang cited personal reasons and a perceived conflict of interest as the basis for declining the nomination.
Following the withdrawal, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Samwel Njoroge, will formally notify the appointing authority to enable the President to propose a new nominee for the position,” Wetangula said.
Following the withdrawal, the National Assembly Speaker directed the Clerk, Mr. Samuel Njoroge, to formally notify the appointing authority so the President can propose a new nominee for the position.
Duncan Ojwang’ Declines Ruto’s Nomination
Ojwang’s decision to decline President Ruto’s nomination comes a day before the National Assembly was scheduled to vet him for the position of Chairperson of the KNCHR, a process that was to be conducted on Wednesday, August 14, 2025.
After Ojwang’s nomination, two civil society organizations, Katiba Institute and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), filed a petition at the High Court in Nairobi (Milimani) challenging his appointment.
Also Read: Fresh Headache for Ruto After Nomination of KNCHR Chair
They argued that appointing Dr. Ojwang, a male, while the current vice-chairperson, Dr. Raymond Nyeris, is also male, violated Article 250(11) of the Constitution, which prohibits both the chairperson and vice-chairperson of an independent commission from being of the same gender.
The chairperson position at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has been vacant since the passing of former Chair Roseline Odhiambo Odede on January 3, 2025.
Roseline Odhiambo Odede served as the Chairperson of the Commission from her appointment in 2021 by then-President Uhuru Kenya until her untimely passing.
About the Legal Scholar
Dr. Ojwang is a legal scholar with deep expertise in human rights law, policy, and constitutional matters at both national and international levels. He previously served as Dean of the School of Law at Africa Nazarene University for over six years, from 2017 to January 2023.
He has taught law for more than a decade at both the University of Nairobi and Africa Nazarene University, specializing in subjects such as Environmental Law, Law and Development, Human Rights, and Constitutional Law.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ojwang has made significant contributions in various capacities. He was part of Kenya’s state delegation and served as a researcher in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against then-Deputy President William Ruto, who faced charges of crimes against humanity.
Also Read: Ruto’s Lawyer Nominated to Top Government Position
He also served as an election observer with the African Union and was a member of the technical team that prepared the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, a bipartisan initiative led by President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In addition, he took part in the Tumaini mediation process for South Sudan, which focused on paving the way for the country’s first democratic elections.
Dr. Ojwang 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 School of Law, 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.
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