Roseline Odede, who, in more than three decades of public life, served as a litigator in private practice, advocate of the High Court of Kenya, certified mediator, arbitrator, and a social and environmental impact auditor and assessor, and who, at present, was the Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), died on Friday, January 3, 2025.
The cause was complications from a short illness, Dr Raymond Nyeris, KNCHR’s Vice Chairperson and Commissioner, said in a statement, adding that her untimely death is a big blow to the Commission and the nation at large.
“It is with shock and deep sorrow that I inform you of the demise of Roseline Odhiambo Odede, HSC, Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, which occurred yesterday after a short illness,” Nyeris announced.
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“During this period of mourning, we send our message of condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and all those who knew Roseline. May the memories of her exceptional service bring comfort and strength in this difficult time.”
Since her appointment by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in late 2021 and her subsequent swearing-in in March 2022, Roseline, a nationally recognised expert in gender, governance, policy, and human rights, has been serving as the Chairperson of KNCHR, whose mandate is primarily to protect and promote human rights in Kenya, including offering advisories on the same to the government and fulfilling reporting obligations to several international bodies and organisations.
“I am indeed humbled that I am taking the stewardship of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights at a time when our country has made notable and commendable strides in the fulfilment of its human rights obligations, as set out under national, regional, and international laws and treaties. This is evident through the establishment of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights as an independent institution, as espoused by Chapter 15 of our progressive Constitution,” she remarked after taking the oath of office.
The KNCHR, under Article 249 of the Constitution, is tasked with ensuring all State organs observe democratic values and principles and promote constitutionalism. Recently, the Commission has been vocal in calling on the government to end abductions, highlighting that 82 people had been reported abducted in the past six months, with 29 still missing.
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