Felicia Mburu, Deputy Director of Research and ComplianceThe Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is grieving the loss of one of its most committed leaders, Felicia Mburu, who served as the Deputy Director of Research and Compliance.
Mburu passed away on September 8 after a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy of tireless advocacy and unwavering dedication to human rights.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the commission paid tribute to Mburu’s impactful career, describing her as a devoted human rights defender whose work extended across both national and international platforms.
Her contributions were particularly notable in the areas of access to justice and disability rights, where she championed the rights of persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities.
Felicia Mburu was widely respected for her legal acumen and her deep commitment to equity and inclusion.
She led numerous pro bono legal initiatives, often representing marginalized individuals who lacked access to legal representation.
Her work was instrumental in advancing disability mainstreaming within public institutions and civil society, and she was a vocal proponent of inclusive policy development.
The commission highlighted her guiding philosophy, “Nothing For Us Without Us,” a rallying call for participatory advocacy that she embodied throughout her career.
This principle underscored her belief that persons with disabilities must be actively involved in shaping the policies and decisions that affect their lives.
Her efforts helped influence national discourse on disability rights and contributed to the strengthening of legal protections for vulnerable populations.
Mburu’s passing comes just eight months after the death of KNCHR’s former chairperson, Roseline Odede, who also succumbed to a short illness on January 3.
The back-to-back losses have dealt a significant emotional blow to the commission and the broader human rights community in Kenya.
KNCHR described Odede's death as a profound loss, not only to the institution but to the nation at large.
The commission said Mburu's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of human rights defenders, and her contributions will remain etched in the history of Kenya’s human rights movement.
"To God we belong, and to Him we shall return," the commission consoled family and friends.
