Protest victims compensation panel to gazette list of beneficiaries

The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations during demonstrations has dismissed claims that the programme has stalled, reiterating that payments are ongoing and urging the public to disregard what it termed misinformation surrounding the exercise.

In a statement on Thursday, Panel Chairperson Prof. Makau Mutua said the compensation process remains active, noting that claims continue to be received and verified before payments are made to eligible beneficiaries.

Mutua said reports suggesting the programme had stopped were false and risked causing unnecessary anxiety among victims who are awaiting compensation.

“Let it be clearly and emphatically stated: The Panel has compensated victims and continues to do so. Suggestions that the process has stalled, ceased or is nonexistent are inaccurate and malicious. The response from victims has been highly positive, reflected in the sharp increase in claims submitted and the growing trust in the Panel,” he stated.

According to the panel, every application undergoes a rigorous verification process to confirm eligibility before compensation is approved and released.

It said beneficiaries must also provide explicit consent before any payment is made, describing the process as a necessary safeguard against fraud and misuse of public funds rather than an unnecessary delay.

The panel said it had recorded an increase in claims, which it attributed to growing public confidence in the compensation programme, and encouraged victims who are yet to apply to submit their claims, assuring them that the exercise will continue until all eligible victims have been compensated.

Prof. Mutua also cautioned individuals against spreading unverified information about the programme, saying such claims undermine victims who depend on accurate information regarding the process.

To enhance transparency, the panel said it will periodically publish and gazette the names of beneficiaries, with a comprehensive list to be made public once the compensation exercise is concluded.

However, it noted that publication of beneficiaries' details will only be done with their consent, in compliance with the Data Protection Act, saying the requirement is intended to protect victims' privacy, safety and dignity.

Beyond financial compensation, the panel said victims visiting its offices can also access counselling and psychosocial support services as part of efforts to promote their overall well-being.

The panel consequently committed to ensuring that all those who visit its offices at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC) are assisted.

“The Panel remains steadfast in its victim-centred approach, conducting its work with integrity, transparency and compassion. The suffering of victims demands nothing less than our full commitment to justice, dignity, and accountability,” Prof. Mutua noted.

The development comes days after some of the victims, including those who were allegedly abducted during the demonstrations, claimed that despite registering with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), their names were omitted from the list of beneficiaries without any explanation.

They said they submitted the required documentation to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights in April and May this year, only to discover that their names were missing from both the first and second lists of compensation recipients.

The claims follow a report by the panel earlier this month, which said it had disbursed more than Ksh.674 million to 505 victims as it scales up efforts to compensate those affected by demonstrations and public protests.

In an update issued on Friday, the panel Chairperson, Prof. Makau Mutua, said that Ksh.674.1 million has so far been paid out to verified beneficiaries, including Ksh.448.7 million disbursed during the initial phase of the programme.

The panel said the second phase of compensation saw 157 claims fully processed, comprising 57 fatalities, 19 severe injuries, 57 moderate injuries, 18 minor injuries and six aggravated sexual offence cases, amounting to Ksh.225.4 million in compensation.