Over Sh1 Billion Disbursed to 1,083 Victims of Protests
The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations, including victims of demonstrations and public protests, has disbursed more than Sh1 billion to 1,083 claims.
Panel chairperson Prof. Makau Mutua said the claims covered fatalities, injuries, sexual violence, economic losses and other forms of harm recognised under the applicable compensation framework.
He said the compensation programme was continuing on a rolling basis, with each claim undergoing verification, authentication and categorisation before a payment decision is made.
“This safeguards the integrity of the process and helps ensure awards reach genuine, eligible victims,” Mutua said.
“The Panel has made significant progress in processing and compensating claims across different types of harm. To date, 1,083 claims have been processed,” he said.
The panel has also made progress in compensating victims who suffered economic losses, particularly small and informal business owners affected by demonstrations, public protests and related incidents.
Mutua said 139 economic-loss claims had so far been settled.
He said demonstrations and related incidents had disrupted livelihoods, businesses and property, making compensation for economic losses an important part of the broader victim-centred approach to redress.
Claims involving economic losses are assessed using supporting evidence, including business records, police records, photographs and witness statements.
The panel has also approved compensation for human rights violations suffered by uniformed officers during the period under review.
Mutua said the panel had received and approved 100 claims from uniformed officers.
The panel has also reclassified two claims, involving one civilian and one uniformed officer, following a review of medical reports and submissions made after the initial applications.
Following case-by-case assessments, the panel approved above-scale compensation for the two claims.
The panel will further recommend to President William Ruto that the two victims be included in a government-funded lifetime medical scheme.
Mutua said the panel had continued engaging victims and beneficiaries through various communication channels.
He said the panel had taken note of communications and concerns raised over the implementation of the compensation programme, noting that such concerns were important to the credibility, transparency and effectiveness of the reparations process.
The panel also considered Petition No. E488 of 2026 filed at the High Court, in which it was named as the second respondent in July 2026.
Mutua said the panel had taken the necessary steps to comply with court directives requiring it to sequester and ring-fence Sh105 million from the compensation fund for victims of torture and enforced disappearances.
The funds will remain ring-fenced pending the hearing and determination of the petition.
“In light of these matters, the Panel reaffirms its commitment to constructive, professional, and institutional engagement with all relevant stakeholders in delivering the reparations framework, which it considers essential to strengthening the programme,” Mutua said.
The panel said it continues to process and assess claims beyond the earlier compensation phases.
Phase IV and Phase V comprise claims that have undergone the required verification, authentication, categorisation and approval processes.
Mutua said the implementation phases had resulted in substantial disbursements, with midterm records showing total payments of Sh1,014,650,000 across the programme at the reporting point.
“For context, the Panel’s total implementation phases have resulted in substantial disbursements, with the midterm records showing total disbursements of Sh1,014,650,000 across the programme at the reporting point,” he said.
The Kenya Judiciary swore in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests on September 4, 2025, following a Gazette Notice issued on August 25, 2025.
