President William Ruto has extended the mandate of an 18-member panel tasked with compensating victims of demonstrations and public protests.
In a gazette notice dated June 4, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced that Ruto has extended the term of the panel of experts established in August last year by 90 days.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that His Excellency the President has extended the term of the Panel of Experts appointed vide Gazette Notice No. 3115 of 6th March, 2026, for a period of ninety (90) days, with effect from 5th June, 2026,” reads the notice.
Ruto Extends Protest Victims Panel’s Term by Three Months
This comes after President Ruto, in January, formally restructured the Panel of Experts on Compensation for Victims of State Excesses into an advisory body with a six-month mandate, following a High Court ruling declaring its original mandate unconstitutional.
Also Read: Ruto Sets Timelines for Compensation of Protest Victims, Pledges Ksh2 Billion
The change was contained in a Gazette Notice published by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, which tasked the panel with advising the President on the best way to implement a reparations framework based on the recommendations of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
“The role of the taskforce is amended to advise the President on the lawful and constitutional implementation of the reparations framework for victims of public protests and riots, based upon a report prepared by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights,” the notice read.
The notice added that the panel, chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua, will perform its functions in strict compliance with the Constitution and all applicable laws and procedures, in collaboration with relevant public bodies and institutions where necessary.
Also Read: Ruto Makes Changes to Victims Compensation Taskforce, Members Appointed Afresh
Court on the Compensation Panel
The court had found the initiative improperly encroached upon the statutory functions of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
In a detailed judgment, the court held that the President acted outside the bounds of the Constitution when he established the advisory body, noting that the framework for addressing victims’ claims is already set out in law and specifically places the responsibility on KNCHR.
According to the court, any attempt by the Executive to duplicate or reassign that mandate undermines institutional independence and disrupts the constitutional architecture governing human-rights protection.
In its findings, the bench emphasized that “KNCHR is the only body empowered to initiate, coordinate and oversee measures relating to the identification of victims, assessment of harm, and recommendation of appropriate compensation.”
The court directed that the report in question be submitted to KNCHR, which shall undertake the necessary follow-up actions and make any required amendments to ensure the process conforms with the Constitution.
KNCHR has so far identified at least 1,563 victims and survivors of human rights violations, as the 60-day deadline for submitting compensation claims lapsed on Friday, April 3, 2026.
The cases documented cover a wide range of abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, abductions, forced disappearances, evictions, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as loss of property and livelihoods.
In March this year, President Ruto announced that the government will release Ksh2 billion to compensate victims of political protests, following the gazettement of a court-backed panel to oversee the process.
