A panel of experts tasked with overseeing compensation for victims of demonstrations and public protests can now formally begin its work following the official gazetting of its members.
The gazette notice, issued by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Monday, names renowned legal scholar Makau Mutua as the chairperson and principal coordinator of the panel.
According to the notice, the panel's term will run for 120 days from the date of gazettement, with the possibility of extension as may be determined and published in the Kenya Gazette.
The panel has been mandated to develop a comprehensive operational framework to verify, categorise, and facilitate compensation for victims—both civilians and security personnel—who suffered bodily harm or lost their lives during protests and riots held since 2017.
The vice chairperson of the panel is Faith Odhiambo Mony, and the team includes a diverse mix of professionals such as Kennedy Ogeto, Irungu Houghton, Dr. John Olukuru, Rev. (Fr.) Kennedy Barasa Simiyu, Dr. Linda Musumba, Dr. Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Dr. Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.
The panel's technical lead is Richard Barno, assisted by Dr. Duncamn A. Okelo Ndeda as co-technical lead.
The joint secretaries to the panel are Jerusah Mwaathime Michael and Dr. Raphael Ng’etich.
The panel’s secretariat will be housed at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Ground Floor, where coordination and administrative support will be based.
The establishment of the panel follows a presidential proclamation made on August 8, 2025, in which President William Samoei Ruto unveiled a national framework for compensating victims of civil unrest.
“I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, in exercise of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby establish a coordinating framework for compensation of victims of protests and riots, which shall be vested under the Executive Office of the President,” the proclamation stated.
The panel is expected to consult widely with affected families, human rights bodies, civil society organisations, religious groups, and relevant State agencies to ensure the compensation process is inclusive, transparent, and fair.
It will also authenticate data on eligible victims from institutions such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), National Police Service, Ministry of Health, and other credible civil society organisations.
