Amnesty International Kenya welcomed the appointment of its director Irũngũ Houghton to the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests.
The agency said for several years, they have documented and demanded justice for victims of violent suppression of protests by law enforcement officials.
This has included, but is not restricted to, the 2017 and 2023 post-election violence, COVID-19, the Masimba killings and the recent Gen Z protests, among others.
“Police abuses, often publicly encouraged and sanctioned by both the police leadership and the Executive, have left deep scars.”
“Only decisive action by the current administration will restore trust. Under international human rights law, compensation is a legal obligation,” said Amnesty board chairperson Dr Stellah Bosire.
She added it must be accompanied by other reparative measures, including taking steps to ensure protests are policed in full compliance with human rights law and standards.
“Amnesty International Kenya urges the Panel to deliver a comprehensive reparations package. It must include substantial financial compensation, truth-telling, memorials, legal reforms, rehabilitation and guarantees of non-repetition.”
“Transparency and careful verification must guide the process, and the dignity and privacy of victims and their families must be protected,” she said in a statement.
She added compensation must not replace criminal accountability.
“Citizens’ taxes should not shield criminals. Investigations must still be undertaken, and those suspected of having committed violations amounting to crimes must be prosecuted in fair trials. We continue to demand that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions urgently, effectively and fairly prosecute those responsible.”
Irũngũ Houghton joins the Panel in an advisory role in his personal capacity.
Dr Bosire said appointment will not limit his responsibility to lead Amnesty’s advocacy, litigation, and pursuit of command responsibility for the abuses that have occurred.
“He will remain bound by the paramount interests of the victims’ families and their demand for judicial redress.”
Irungu said over the last eight years, a tremendous injustice has occurred in the country.
“Over 300 peaceful protesters and bystanders have been killed or injured by police during demonstrations. Amnesty International Kenya, state agencies and human rights organisations have documented most of these cases and acted together in different ways for justice and compensation.”
“Many families have suffered deeply, both emotionally and financially. All have had to pay for hospital and mortuary care, postmortems, and burials. Most have not found justice in court,” he said.
While the activists and the public have tried to help, he said, the government bears a primary duty to ensure accountability and provide victims with full and adequate reparations, including compensation, restitution, rehabilitation and satisfaction. Reparation is not just about money.
“It is also about acknowledging wrongdoing, helping families and the nation heal, transitional justice and a deterrence against recurrence.”
“To go beyond public relations or hush money, this fund must be fair, fast, and transparent. It must truly support those affected. I am convinced that if our advice is acted on, the initiative could make a significant difference for the affected victims’ families,” he said.
He said his participation and advice in the panel shall not interfere with his role as Amnesty International Section Director in pressing for judicial redress for all victims and an end to extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other violations of human rights.
“As an advisory role, the responsibility for reparations remains with the Executive, led by the President, who initiated the process.
I will remain guided by radical transparency and a victim-centred approach to justice.”
“I shall also donate any personal allowances I receive to a civic human rights organisation helping victims seek justice and reparations. Lastly, I urge the public to follow this process closely for the sake of the victims and their families,” he said.
A gazette notice issued by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, named renowned legal scholar Makau Mutua as the chairperson and principal coordinator of the panel.
The team’s term will run for 120 days from the date of gazettement, with the possibility of extension as may be determined and published in the Kenya Gazette.
The panel was mandated to develop a comprehensive operational framework to verify, categorise, and facilitate compensation for victims—both civilians and security personnel—who suffered bodily harm or lost their lives during protests and riots held since 2017.
The vice chairperson of the panel is Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo Mony, and the team includes a diverse mix of professionals such as former Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto, Amnesty International Kenya’s Irungu Houghton, Dr. John Olukuru, Rev. (Fr.) Kennedy Barasa Simiyu, Dr. Linda Musumba, Dr. Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Dr. Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.
The panel’s technical lead is Richard Barno, assisted by Dr. Duncamn A. Okelo Ndeda as co-technical lead.
The joint secretaries to the panel are Jerusah Mwaathime Michael and Dr. Raphael Ng’etich.
The panel’s secretariat will be housed at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Ground Floor, where coordination and administrative support will be based.
The establishment of the panel follows a presidential proclamation made on August 8, 2025, in which President William Samoei Ruto unveiled a national framework for compensating victims of civil unrest.
The panel is expected to consult widely with affected families, human rights bodies, civil society organisations, religious groups, and relevant State agencies to ensure the compensation process is inclusive, transparent, and fair.
It will also authenticate data on eligible victims from institutions such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), National Police Service, Ministry of Health, and other credible civil society organisations.
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