Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations cahriperson Prof Makau Mutua. /FILE
The government has commenced compensation of victims of human rights violations arising from demonstrations and public protests, disbursing Sh448.7 million to 348 verified beneficiaries in the first phase of a nationwide reparations programme.
The payments are being overseen by the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations, chaired by Prof Makau Mutua, and cover victims of violations recorded between 2013 and 2025.
The compensation comes ahead of a planned Gen Z memorial march on Thursday, June 25, marking two years since anti-Finance Bill protests culminated in deadly confrontations between demonstrators and security forces outside Parliament.
According to the panel, compensation is only being released to beneficiaries who have completed and consented to the process.
“Consent is the final act that a beneficiary must give to receive compensation. Eligible beneficiaries are encouraged to do so without delay,” the panel said.
It said the current disbursement is the first phase of a continuous programme that will continue until all eligible victims have received compensation.
“We are committed to ensuring every verified victim is compensated, promptly, fairly and with the dignity they deserve,” Prof Mutua said.
Of the Sh448.7 million released, Sh345 million has been allocated to 115 verified fatality cases, with each beneficiary receiving Sh3 million.
Another Sh24 million will go to 24 victims classified as having suffered severe injuries, each receiving Sh1 million.
The panel also approved Sh68.5 million for 137 victims with moderate injuries at a rate of Sh500,000 per person, while 60 victims classified as having sustained minor injuries will receive Sh50,000 each, amounting to Sh3 million.
Eight verified victims of aggravated sexual offences will receive Sh1 million each, bringing the total compensation under that category to Sh8 million.
A further Sh200,000 has been allocated to four victims who suffered economic losses, each receiving Sh50,000.
“To the victims, the long wait is over. Today, we begin to make right what was wrong. Your courage in coming forward has made this day possible,” Prof Mutua said.
The panel noted that every approved claim underwent the full administrative process outlined in the Reparations Guidelines developed by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), including registration, verification, authentication, categorisation of harm, approval and disbursement.
It also pledged regular public updates on the progress of the compensation exercise and said the names of compensated victims would be published periodically in the Kenya Gazette in compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2019.
The compensation programme unfolds against the backdrop of the June 25, 2024 anti-government protests that turned deadly after youth-led demonstrators breached security barriers and entered Parliament grounds, with a section of the National Assembly complex set ablaze.
Police opened fire to disperse largely unarmed protesters shortly after Members of Parliament passed the controversial Finance Bill, 2024.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) said it documented 62 deaths linked to the events of that day. Only three cases are before court.
Three have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and direction, one is undergoing internal legal review, four were closed after investigations, and five were closed following directions from the ODPP. The remaining 46 cases are at various stages of investigation.
The latest compensation package is expected to form a key part of ongoing efforts to address grievances arising from protest-related rights violations and provide redress to affected victims and families.
