Govt approves Ksh.83.6M compensation for 259 protest victims

The government has approved Ksh.83.65 million in compensation for 259 people who suffered human rights violations, including injuries and economic losses linked to demonstrations and public protests.

In an update issued on Thursday, the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations said the claims had been processed under Phase VI of the compensation programme, which covers both civilians and uniformed officers.

The beneficiaries include victims who suffered aggravated, severe, moderate, and minor injuries, as well as those who incurred economic losses.

According to the breakdown, 54 claimants with moderate injuries will receive Ksh.27 million, while 35 victims with severe injuries have been allocated Ksh.35 million.

Another 133 people who suffered minor injuries will receive a combined Ksh.6.65 million, while 30 claimants whose losses were categorised as economic will share Ksh.1.5 million.

The panel also verified seven claims under the aggravated injury category, with compensation amounts varying between Ksh.1.5 million and Ksh.2.5 million per claimant, bringing the total allocation for the category to Ksh.13.5 million.

The panel said it was still receiving claims through official channels and urged victims who had not yet submitted their applications to come forward for consideration.

“Every claim received undergoes careful verification and authentication before a decision is reached. The Panel will notify each claimant of the outcome in due course,” the panel chairperson Prof. Makau Mutua stated.

Mutua noted that the panel would continue engaging victims and beneficiaries to address their concerns and provide updates on the progress of the programme.

He further asked claimants to remain patient as verification continues, maintaining that the process would ensure eligible victims are treated fairly and with dignity.

Victims seeking information on the compensation programme can contact the panel through its hotline, +254 141 441 294, or email info@victimscompensation.go.ke. Its offices are located on the ground floor of the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

Formed in 2025, President William Ruto tasked the panel to verify, categorize, and oversee reparations for victims of human rights violations and protests occurring between 2013 and 2025.

Recently, the Head of State extended the panel's term by 90 days from September 4, 2026, to address the remaining compensation claims.