The selection panel of the proposed Kenya Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission has shortlisted nominees to sit in the team. Most of them are lawyers, ambassadors and human rights activists. They include the Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi and Presbyterian Church of East Africa clergyman Timothy Njoya. The names of the nominees were contained in a statement released on Tuesday evening signed by Mr Daniel Ichang’i, chairman of the selection panel on Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.
The setting up of the commission was recommended by the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee which was formed to find out the root causes of the post-election violence. The nominees are Bethwel Kiplagat, Dr Maria Nzomo, Dr Elizabeth Muli, Tom Ojienda, Timothy Njoya, Dr Joseph Aluoch, Betty Murungi and Margaret Shava. The others are Thomas Letangule, Abubakar Zein Abubakar, Joyce Miguda Majiwa, Tecla Namachanja, Maj Gen rtd Ahmed Sheikh Farah and Dr Daadab Mohammed.
Mr Kiplagat is a former ambassador and has been involved in peace processes in Kenya and its neighbour while Dr Nzomo is also a former ambassador and Kenya’s Permanent Representative in Geneva.
Dr Muli, is a human rights crusader while Mr Ojienda is a former Law Society of Kenya chairman and heads the East Africa chapter of the lawyers association. The Rev Njoya is credited for his stand as a church minister advocating for justice and human rights. Dr Aluoch, Ms Shava and Mr Letangule are also human rights crusaders. Mr Abubakar was in the Constitutional of Kenya Review Commission. Ms Murungi is the co-founder and a former director of Urgent Action Fund- Africa, which supports innovative and rapid initiatives on women’s leadership. The others Majiwa, Namachanja and Maj Gen rtd Farah as well as Dr Daadab are credited with advocating for human rights.
