President William Ruto has directed the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to develop a formal plan outlining how victims of human rights violations, including those who suffered during demonstrations and public protests, will receive compensation.
In a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on March 6, Ruto also established a Panel of Experts to oversee the implementation of the framework once KNCHR has developed it for 90 days.
“IT IS notified for the general information of the public, that His Excellency the President has established a Panel of Experts pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1 of 2026,” read part of the notice.
Ruto Names Panel of Experts to Oversee Compensation for Human Rights Violation Victims in Kenya
According to the notice, the Panel of Experts will be chaired by Makau Mutua, who will serve as Principal Coordinator.
The Panel will include legal, human rights, and technical specialists such as John Olukuru, Kennedy Barasa Simiyu, Linda Musumba, Duncan Ojwang’, and Naini Lankas, with Richard Barno serving as Technical Lead.
Also Read: Ruto Directs Shauri Moyo Estate to Be Renamed After Johana Ng’eno
It will work to ensure that the process is conducted transparently, with proper record-keeping and accountability.
The panel will later submit periodic reports to the President and other relevant government authorities.
This new appointment revokes the previous appointment of the panel appointed on August 25, 2025, which included former Law Society of Kenya Chairperson Faith Odhiambo.
Court Nullifies Task Force Made by Ruto to Compensate Victims
In December 2025, the High Court in Kenya nullified Ruto’s task force for compensating victims of the 2024–2025 protests because the panel lacked constitutional authority.
Justice Edward Muriithi ruled that the mandate to investigate violations and recommend compensation belongs solely to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to ensure fair, independent, and legal processes, not to an executive-appointed team.
The court directed that the report from the presidential task force be handed to the KNCHR for necessary adjustments to align with the Constitution within 30 days.
Also Read: President Ruto’s Speech During Alliance High School At 100 Celebrations [FULL TEXT]
However, an appeal was lodged seeking clarification of the decision, as the government maintained that it remains committed to compensating affected victims.
The panel, through its chairperson, Makau Mutua, said it had complied with the High Court judgment delivered in Kerugoya on December 4, 2025, while also seeking further interpretation of the ruling from the appellate court.
It argued that the appeal does not suspend or delay compliance with the court order but is intended to obtain clarity on legal principles it described as being of significant public interest.
“Concurrently, and strictly in keeping with established judicial principles and practice that allow for appellate review, and in recognition of the significant public interest involved, an appeal has been lodged to seek clarity on the larger issues arising from the judgment,” the statement said.
What Changed
In the March 6 gazette notice, Ruto stated that the Panel of Experts will be re-established as an internal administrative mechanism within the Office of the President, solely the facilitate the implementation of the compensation framework once developed.
The said Panel, Ruto added, shall not exercise supervisory authority over the work of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. Instead, it will support the implementation of the framework, consistent with the Executive’s commitment to justice and accountability, and ensure that compensation is provided to eligible victims. “
“Shall support the implementation of the framework, consistent with the Executive’s commitment to justice and accountability, and ensure that compensation to eligible victims is effected in a transparent, accountable and timely manner, in accordance with the framework developed by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and the Constitution of Kenya,” the gazette notice read.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
