Abductees say they were left out of compensation list

Some of the victims, including those who were allegedly abducted during the demonstrations, claim that despite registering with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), their names were omitted from the list of beneficiaries without any explanation.

A day after the Victims Compensation Panel unveiled the second phase of compensation, a section of those affected accused the panel of unfairly leaving them out of the exercise.

They say 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.

"We are hearing that people are being compensated, but we have not seen anything and we do not even know where the compensation is being issued. We registered with IPOA and KNCHR, but we have not received a phone call or any communication," said Ann Wanjiku, one of the victims.

Another victim, Thomas Nandwa, urged the panel to consider those who say they have already undergone the required verification process.

"We have gone through all the required processes. We are many victims and we are appealing to the authorities to consider us," said Nandwa.

Among those protesting their exclusion are brothers Jamil Longton and Aslam Longton, who were allegedly abducted and subjected to abuse by police officers during the 2024 protests.

The two say they registered with the KNCHR on May 7 but have neither received communication nor compensation.

They have also questioned the transparency of the compensation process.

"We are being told that 40 per cent of the victims have already been compensated, yet we do not know who has received the money," said Aslam Longton.

"There is not even one person we know who has received a single shilling. We feel there are many unanswered questions surrounding this compensation process," said Jamil Longton.

The Victims Compensation Panel, chaired by Professor Makau Mutua, says individuals who believe they were wrongly left out can still appeal by submitting complaints and supporting documents at its offices at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre or other designated centres.

According to the panel, eligibility was determined through a verification process using records from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

It noted that not everyone who registered met the criteria for compensation, but maintained that the appeals process remains open.

So far, 505 victims have received compensation, with more expected to benefit during the third phase of the exercise.