President William Ruto has officially extended the terms of two key government panels – one dealing with gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, and another involved in selecting the next chairperson for the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
The announcement was made through two separate notices published in the Kenya Gazette on June 13, 2025.
The notice was issued by Felix Koskei, the Head of Public Service, and confirmed that the total of 50 individuals serving on these panels would have their terms extended – some by 30 days and others by 10 days – to allow them more time to complete their assignments.
The first extension affects the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, whose tenure has been prolonged by 30 more days. This means the group will now continue its work from June 9 to July 8, 2025.
According to the gazette notice:
“It is notified for the general information of the public that His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, has extended the term of the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including Femicide for a period of thirty (30) days, with effect from the 9th June, 2025 up to the 8th July, 2025. Dated the 13th of June, 2025.”
This particular working group was formed by President Ruto on January 10, 2025, in response to the growing public concern over the rise in GBV and femicide cases across the country. The team, consisting of 42 members, is chaired by Dr. Nancy Baraza.
Other prominent individuals in the group include:
- Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya
- Franklin Wallah, a well-known investigative and crime journalist
- Linah Jebii Kilimo, a former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister
- Dr. Sam Thenya, founder of Nairobi Women’s Hospital
The committee’s primary role is to evaluate the current situation and recommend ways to strengthen Kenya’s legal, institutional, and policy responses to GBV and femicide.
They are also responsible for identifying patterns in GBV cases, recommending reforms in legal frameworks, and proposing actionable solutions to reduce and prevent such violence in the country.
In a separate move, President Ruto also extended the term of the Selection Panel for the KNCHR Chairperson Appointment by an additional 10 days.
This panel was set up to guide the process of choosing a new chairperson for the human rights body, following the death of Roseline Odhiambo Odede on January 3, 2025.
The Gazette notice stated:
“It is notified for the general information of the public that His Excellency, Hon. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 11 (15) of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act, 2011, has extended the period specified under section 11 (4) of the Act by ten (10) days and under section 11 (5) of the Act by ten (10) days, in respect of the tenure of the Selection Panel appointed vide Gazette Notice No. 4651/2025 of 11th April, 2025.”
The panel comprises eight members:
- Joe Ager
- Lawrence Muiruri
- Jackline Nekesa Makokha
- Dr. Irene Cherotich Asienga
- Kathurima Hiram Kirimi
- Catherine Wameyo
- Faith Odhiambo
- Prof. Kenneth Wyne Mutuma
While the panel was officially formed on April 11, 2025, the exact duration of their original term had not been made public at the time.
The additional 10 days now granted are intended to give them ample time to complete the recruitment process of identifying a qualified candidate for the crucial human rights position.
These two extensions reflect the government’s intention to ensure that both the fight against gender-based violence and the strengthening of human rights leadership are addressed with the seriousness they deserve.
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