Government revises mandate for protest victims’ compensation panel, extends term

In a gazette notice dated January 5, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, Felix Koskei said that the panel's roles have been reviewed in compliance with a Kerugoya High Court's order to make necessary amendments within 30 days.

The High Court had ruled that President William Ruto has no constitutional authority to constitute a body to advise on the compensation of victims, holding that the mandate squarely falls within the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

The court therefore directed that the report in question be submitted to KNCHR, which shall undertake the necessary Executive actions and allow for any required amendments to bring the process into conformity with the Constitution.

Koskei noted that the Gazette Notice No. 12002 of August 2025 has been amended, now mandating the panel to advise the President on the lawful and constitutional implementation of the compensation framework, based upon a report prepared by KNCHR.

The panel will also perform its functions in strict compliance with the Constitution and all applicable laws, in collaboration with relevant public institutions where necessary.

Likewise, the panel's term has been extended for a further period of 180 days from the date of publication of the gazette notice, up from the initial 120 days.

The panel was tasked with overseeing the compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests in 2025 and 2024, in which over 120 people were killed and hundreds were injured.

The 2025 notice — part II (a) — had directed the panel to design and establish an operational framework to verify, categorise, and compensate eligible victims. This has now been deleted.

Chaired by Ruto’s senior advisor on constitutional affairs and human rights, Prof. Makau Mutua, the panel comprised Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo as Vice-Chair, 12 members, 2 technical leads and two joint secretaries.

Ms. Odhiambo has however since stepped down from the role, and been replaced with KNCHR Chairperson Claris Awuor Ogangah-Onyango.