Ruto appoints Duncan Oburu Ojwang as IPOA chairperson

President William Ruto has formally appointed legal scholar and human rights expert Dr Duncan Oburu Ojwang as the new Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

The appointment was announced through a Gazette Notice dated August 31, 2026, in which President Ruto said Ojwang would serve for a six-year term.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 11 (8) of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint—Dr Duncan Oburu Ojwang to be the Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, for a period of six years,” the notice reads.

Ojwang is a Kenyan lawyer and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with experience in law, human rights, academia and public affairs.

President Ruto nominated Ojwang for the IPOA chairperson position on July 21, 2026.

His nomination was subsequently considered by the National Assembly, which approved him for the position on August 19.

Ojwang succeeds Ahmed Issack Hassan, who left the IPOA chairperson position after being appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Kenya.

His appointment comes as IPOA continues to oversee policing in the country and investigate complaints and incidents involving members of the National Police Service.

Ojwang holds a PhD in Law, specialising in Law and Policy, from the University of Arizona, which he obtained in 2023.

He also holds a Master of Laws degree in Human Rights and International Law from Indiana University, where he graduated in 2011.

In 2008, he earned a Juris Doctor degree in Law from Southern Illinois University.

Ojwang began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Indiana University, graduating in 2006.

Before taking up the IPOA role, Ojwang had built a career in academia and human rights law.

Until January 2023, he served as a Dean and Senior Lecturer at Africa Nazarene University.

He previously lectured at the University of Nairobi between 2014 and 2016.

Between 2011 and 2012, Ojwang worked as a member of the Legal Support Team for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

His work has included human rights, governance and legal policy matters.

Ojwang was also among the candidates shortlisted for a position as a member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

He appeared before the IEBC Selection Panel, chaired by Dr Nelson Makanda, on April 2, 2025, during the recruitment process.

His legal and governance experience has also seen him participate in national political and constitutional processes.

Ojwang was part of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process following the 2022 General Election.

He was among four individuals appointed by the Kenya Kwanza Alliance to provide technical assistance during the bipartisan talks.

In the same notice, Ruto appointed Flora Nduku Mutua to be a Member of the Public Service Commission, for a period of six years.