NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1- Human rights defender George Kegoro is leaving the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), after five years at the helm.
He served the organisation, critical in advancing for human rights and respect to the rule of law in Kenya, as the Executive Director.
Kegoro, known for his firm believe in the respect for individual rights and one who’s not shy to lead a march in the streets say against police brutality, is moving to the Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA), in the same capacity.
This was announced by KHRC board chairperson Prof. Makau Mutua in a statement on Sunday.
“No one can replace Kegoro,” he said in a statement with outpouring praises for a man he said steered the human rights organisation to greater heights.
“However, new leadership must now emerge.”
His Deputy Davis Malombe will assume his position at KHRC on interim basis, Prof Mutua announced.
“He was a homegrown original…brilliant, sceptical, diplomatic and calculating,” Mutua said.
It is under his tenure, Mutua said, that KHRC shot to its current national and international prominence.
“He made the organisation a pivotal player in every branch of government and in every national issue and crisis, ” he said of a man whom he described as a “tenacious fighter in the best tradition of the Kenyan human rights streets.”
While are at KHRC, he fought for the recognition of the Makonde community at the coast.
And after years of non-recognition, the community members can now enjoy equal rights like Kenyans.
He also spoke out against suspected human rights abuses at the Kakuzi fruits processing firm.
It is under his leadership that KHRC hired an independent auditor from Costa Rica, whom he said had “revealed massive oppression at the company and the certificate was revoked.”
Kegoro said the lobby group took the action following an outcry by Muranga residents who on numerous occasions decried exploitation by the company.
“The plan is to ensure companies follow the right procedure when producing their products and honour human rights,” he said.
Already, 79 Kenyans have filed a case against the firm in the United Kingdom.
Recently, major international brands have cut ties with the firm over the alleged incidents.
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