Maina Kiai appointed chairperson of KHRC board
By Ascah Mwango, August 7, 2025Veteran human rights defender Maina Kiai has been appointed the new chairperson of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) board of directors.
In a press statement released by KHRC on Thursday, August 7, 2025, the commission said his leadership comes at a moment when Kenya and the region are facing serious threats to democracy, fundamental freedoms, and good governance.
“The Kenya Human Rights Commission is thrilled to announce the appointment of veteran human rights defender Maina Kiai as the new chairperson of its board of directors,” part of the KHRC statement read.
Adding;
“He 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.”
Speaking after his appointment, Kiai said he is ready to face the challenges ahead and called out the current administration for suppressing freedoms.
“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,” he said.
Kiai will be deputised by Betty Okero, who has retained her position as vice chair after serving alongside Lamba.
KHRC expressed confidence in a new era of bold and principled leadership.
“We look forward to a renewed and fearless chapter in defending human rights and freedoms,” the commission stated.
Who is Maina Kiai?
Maina Kiai is a Kenyan lawyer and respected human rights activist. He studied law at the University of Nairobi and earned a master’s degree from Harvard University. Over the years, he has received several international awards for his work, including the United Nations Foundation Award and the Freedom House Freedom Award.
He has written and spoken widely on human rights, both in Kenya and around the world. Kiai is known for speaking truth to power and standing up for the rights of ordinary people.
Maina Kiai is not new to the human rights space. He was the founding executive director of KHRC and has held several high-profile positions over the years.
He served as the inaugural chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Most recently, he worked as the director of alliances and partnerships at Human Rights Watch, returning to an organisation where he previously served as Africa Director.
In recognition of his outstanding human rights work in Sierra Leone, Kiai was installed as the paramount chief of the Mende community, earning him the honorary title of ‘Chief’.
He now replaces Davinder Lamba, a seasoned human rights leader who steered KHRC through challenging times.