Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

President William Ruto has led Kenyans in mourning the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Chairperson Roseline Odhiambo Odede.

Describing her as a great human rights champion, Ruto, in a statement, on Saturday, January 4, 2025, said that he is saddened by Roseline’s death adding that she was an extraordinary campaigner for an equal and fairer society.

“Deeply saddened by the death of the Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Roseline Odhiambo Odede. She was a formidable human rights champion and a distinguished campaigner for a more equal and fairer society. Our thoughts and love are with the family at this sorrowful moment. Rest In Peace, Roseline,” Ruto wrote.

Deeply saddened by the death of the Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Roseline Odhiambo Odede.

She was a formidable human rights champion and a distinguished campaigner for a more equal and fairer society.

Our thoughts and love are with the family at… pic.twitter.com/WAMH9UlAJx

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) January 4, 2025

Condolence messages

Following her untimely death, Kenyans have sent comforting messages to Roseline’s family describing her as a great human rights defender who stood firmly against impunity.

Here are some of the condolence messages.

“I’m saddened to learn of the untimely passing of the Chairperson of the @HakiKNCHR, Roseline Odhiambo Odede. I had the privilege of serving with her both at @fidakenya and in the @LawSocietyofKe Council.

“In all our engagements, she was a level-headed, accommodative, and collaborative partner who always prioritised service to the people and the greater good. Roseline’s tenure in charge of the KNCHR was characterised by exemplary fortitude and commitment to the rule of law and human rights.

“She steered the Commission through a difficult human rights context in Kenya but maintained an unfettered dedication to standing up firmly against impunity, government excesses, and poor governance. Her death is a big loss for the country and the community of human rights defenders. We convey our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. May her soul rest in eternal peace!” LSK president Faith Odhiambo wrote.

” I am deeply saddened and shocked by the untimely passing of Roseline Odede, who served as the chairperson of the Kenya National Human Commission on Human Rights. Ancillary to her vast areas of expertise, Ms Roseline also served as a member of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Advisory Board.

“A distinguished lawyer, Ms Roseline Odede’s career spanned over three decades where she served in various leadership positions with impartiality, integrity and diligence, among many other qualities that were both unequivocally exceptional and undeniably admirable.

“She was respectful yet firm and fierce in discharging her duties in the human rights sector. Losing a family member, colleague, friend, or relative is one of life’s most profound sorrows, and I can only imagine the depth of grief and sadness her family, friends, and current and former colleagues must be experiencing. On behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and on my own behalf, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family, friends and entire legal fraternity following the loss of Roseline Odede,” ODPP Renson Ingonga said.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Roseline Odede, a trailblazer in human rights advocacy and Chair of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Her unwavering dedication to justice & equality will forever inspire us. Our heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones pic.twitter.com/X5wDVzfBF9

— Social Justice Centres Working Group (@UhaiWetu) January 4, 2025

Roseline’s death

In a statement on Saturday, January 4, 2025, the commission Vice Chairperson Raymond Nyeris said that Roseline died on Friday, January 3, 2025, after a short illness.

“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, that happened yesterday, Friday 3rd January 2025 after a short illness,” Nyeris announced.