The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has announced the appointment of veteran human rights defender Maina Kiai as the new chairperson of its board of directors.
Kiai takes over from Davinder Lamba, who the Board described as a battle-hardened human rights general whose steady leadership anchored the Commission through turbulent times.
In a statement on August 7, KHRC said Kiai will be deputised by Betty Okero, who continues in the role after serving alongside Lamba.
KHRC salutes Lamba’s dedication and strategic guidance. We look forward to a renewed and fearless chapter in defending human rights and freedoms.
The Commission said 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 manifest in gross violations of fundamental freedoms and rampant grand corruption.
Kiai wears the title of ‘Chief,’ after his installation as paramount chief of the Mende community for his human rights work in Sierra Leone.
KHRC described him as a distinguished and bold icon in the fight for justice.
Maina Kiai Experience
Kiai brings decades of frontline experience and political leadership in defending civil liberties in Kenya and globally.
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.
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Kiai recently worked as Human Rights Watch’s director of alliances and partnerships, returning to an organisation he had previously served as Africa Director.
Besides, he was the founding executive director of KHRC.
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Message to Ruto
Kiai said the Commission is under attack from President William Ruto and his administration.
He expressed his readiness to protect KHRC against the current regime including President Ruto.
“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 rights, freedoms, and the Constitution,” Kiai said.
Kiai is known for his 2017 petition against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which led to a ruling that the election results at the polling station were final and could only be altered by the Supreme Court.
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