Chairperson

Demas Kiprono is a distinguished public interest lawyer and human rights advocate with over 13 years of practice in Kenya and the broader Eastern Africa region. His work has played a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape around freedom of expression and digital rights, notably contributing to the decriminalisation of defamation in 2017. Kiprono has been instrumental in challenging and refining laws and policies that impact free speech, press freedom, surveillance, digital rights, and the broader civic space.

A prolific writer, Kiprono has authored numerous articles on constitutionalism, the rule of law, freedom of expression, security sector reforms, and emerging technologies. His insights have been featured in prominent Kenyan newspapers and regional journals. Currently, he pens a weekly column for The Friday Standard.

Kiprono holds a Bachelor of Laws from Moi University and a Master’s degree in International Criminal Law and International Human Rights Law from Bangor University, UK. His academic research, particularly his thesis, delved into the regulation of artificial intelligence in Africa from a human rights perspective.

Mr Kiprono is currently serving his second term in the Complaints Commission as the Chair of the Commission, previously, he served as a member where he mediated and adjudicated disputes involving media professionals. He also contributed to the Media Council of Kenya Taskforce, which developed pioneering guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence, social media, and data protection in the media sector.

Currently, Kiprono is the Deputy Executive Director at the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), where he oversees all programs and leads initiatives to enhance the intersection of technology, human rights, economic and climate justice. His previous roles include significant contributions at Amnesty International Kenya, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), where he spearheaded impactful human rights research, campaigns, and strategic litigation efforts.