KNCHR Chair Roseline Odhiambo Odede Passes on

Roseline Odhiambo Odede, the chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, has died. Odede, who was a top human rights advocate, died on Friday, January 3, 2025 after a short illness. She previously served as the vice chairperson of the Judges Magistrates and Vetting Board. She was also an expert in gender, governance and human rights. Odede was appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to head the national human rights watchdog in 2021. Her last official assignment was on December 26, 2024 when she issued a statement on the state of human rights in Kenya. The statement said that at least 80 people have been abducted in the past six months, with at least 30 still missing. Roseline Odede's memorial service will be held from 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 16 at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi. Odede’s family said the cortege will leave Nairobi on Friday, January 17 for a second memorial service at St Stephens Church in Kisumu. The cortege will depart for the family's home in Ruma village, Uyoma Katweng’a for an overnight vigil. Odede will be buried on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at Ruma Primary School and thereafter, Odede will be rest in a private burial at her family home.