The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has appointed Davinder Lamba as interim chair of the board after the exit of Makau Mutua
Prof. Makau Mutua stepped aside as the Chair of the KHRC Board to concentrate on his new role as a spokesperson of the Raila Odinga Presidential campaign secretariat.
According to a press statement by the board, Davinder has been a member of the KHRC Board for many years and has an exemplary and distinguished record in the human rights and social justice movements at all levels.
“Once described as an “activist who bears scars of his battles like a badge of honour” , Davinder’s quest for justice stretches back to the early post-independence years making him one of the longest serving and most indefatigable activists in Kenya and beyond” read part of the statement by the board.
Davinder is hailed to be the first Kenyan architecture student to pursue a master’s degree in environmental studies at the Toronto-based York University.
He has also been the Executive Director of Mazingira Institute, one of the foremost and oldest civil society organizations (CSOs) established in 1978.
During the pro-reforms struggles of the 1990s, Davinder was the Co-Convener of the National Convention Executive Council (NCEC).
“He has been the leader of the Operation Firimbi , an initiative focused on “whistle blowing” or exposing and confronting corruption and other governance excesses. He is also associated with many other progressive advocacy initiatives in the society.” said the statement
KHRC is a premier Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) that was established in April 1992 with a mandate of enhancing human rights-centred governance at all levels in the society.