Justice and Equity Council backs suspension of Ruto’s compensation panel

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo when she was sworn in. (Photo: LSK)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Tuesday, September 9, 2025

In a statement, the group urged courts to fast-track cases related to police accountability, including petitions seeking reparations for victims of abductions and enforced disappearances. It also called for action against top police officials named in ongoing cases.

The Justice and Equity Council has welcomed a High Court decision temporarily halting the operations of President William Ruto’s Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Police Brutality and Demonstrations.

The lobby said the ruling reinforces the independence of the judiciary and underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law in Kenya.

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In a statement, the group urged courts to fast-track cases related to police accountability, including petitions seeking reparations for victims of abductions and enforced disappearances. It also called for action against top police officials named in ongoing cases.

“We urge the courts to fast-track all related cases, including the petition seeking compensation for victims and seeking to hold the Inspector General of Police, his two deputies, the Director of Criminal Investigations, and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) accountable for heinous crimes committed against the people of Kenya through forced abductions and disappearances,” reads the statement signed by the group’s chairperson, Sebastian Onyango.

The statement follows a High Court ruling in Kerugoya on Monday, which issued conservatory orders suspending both the panel’s mandate and the implementation of the presidential proclamation of August 6, 2025.

Justice Magare Dennis also suspended Gazette Notice No. 12002 of August 25, 2025, which formally established the panel to design a framework for reparations and compensation for victims of demonstrations, public protests, and riots.

“A Conservatory Order to stay the commencement of the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests pending the hearing of this Application inter partes,” the court stated.

The orders barred respondents, including the State Law Office and the Interior Cabinet Secretary, from implementing or acting on the presidential proclamation until the case is fully heard.

The 18-member panel was sworn in on September 4, 2025, and is chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua, with Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo as vice chairperson.

Other members include Kennedy Ogeto, Irungu Houghton, John Olukuru, Rev. Kennedy Simiyu, Linda Musumba, Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu. Richard Barno serves as Technical Lead, Duncan Ndeda as Co-Technical Lead, while Jerusah Mwaathime and Raphael Ng’etich are joint secretaries.