Seasoned Legal Scholar Turns Down Ruto’s Nomination

Duncan Oburu Ojwang has rejected his nomination by President William Ruto as the new Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR).
In a letter sent to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on Tuesday, August 13, Ojwang cited personal reasons and conflict of interest as reasons behind his rejection of the nomination.
The lawyer had been nominated by Ruto on August 5 after the seat fell vacant following the demise of the previous chair, Roseline Odhiambo Odede.
Ojwang’s rejection of the appointment put his vetting, planned for today, Wednesday, August 13, in limbo.
“In light of the foregoing, the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs is directed to cease any further consideration of the nominee,” Wetang’ula told MPs.
He also directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to immediately notify the appointing authority of the development.
Ojwang’s nomination had been a subject of legal contention, with both the Katiba Institute and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) moving to court to challenge his nomination.
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