LSK’s Faith Odhiambo quits Ruto’s victims compensation panel over legal delays, court hurdles

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has resigned from her position as vice chairperson of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests, citing delays and legal challenges that have stalled the panel’s work.

In a statement issued on Monday, Odhiambo said she had formally and immediately tendered her resignation to the Head of Public Service.

The 18-member panel was established to facilitate compensation for victims of demonstrations and protests dating back to 2017.

“When the Head of Public Service published a Notice on August 25, 2025, confirming the establishment of the Panel of Experts, I was appointed as Vice Chairperson. The panel was constituted of distinguished Kenyans who have made tremendous contributions in championing the Rule of Law and Human Rights. The proposed mandate of the Panel presented an opportunity to overhaul the existing legal and institutional framework on victim reparations, which, as it stands, has proven inadequate in addressing public concerns over the historic crisis of police overreach and protestor victimisation during demonstrations,” she said.

Oath of office

Odhiambo noted that her oath of office required her to safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s legal institutions.

“As resilient as the resolve of the Law Society of Kenya has been in upholding the rule of law throughout Kenya’s history, especially in the last two years, my oath of office demands that I do all it takes to preserve such resilience from any and all adversaries and detractors,” she added.

She explained that court orders had effectively stalled the panel’s work and that its 120-day mandate was likely to lapse before victims’ requests for hearings could be addressed.

“While the clock runs down on the panel’s lifetime, victims continue to reach out to me in total frustration over when their requests for an audience with the panel will be honoured. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to achieve the time-sensitive milestones I undertook to achieve, and I must therefore prioritise other avenues of responding to the plight of victims through the other positions I hold, especially the leadership of the Law Society of Kenya,” she said.

Justice for victims

Odhiambo reaffirmed her commitment to pursuing justice for victims of police excesses, stating that her dedication to defending victims’ rights remains steadfast.

“I will continue to take up and prosecute matters on behalf of victims of police excesses during demonstrations, and work towards safeguarding holistic justice for victims,” she said.

She revealed that a team of LSK advocates in Kisumu is currently in court over cases arising from the 2023 demonstrations against the high cost of living.

Odhiambo also called for reforms to Kenya’s victim reparations framework, pledging that the LSK would collaborate with justice sector stakeholders and human rights institutions to propose legislative changes.

“Our proposals will be focused on ensuring that we transform Kenya’s approach in dealing with victims of police excesses and state overreach, from the current protracted process of apportioning criminal liability to an efficient and victim-centred approach of rehabilitating victims and restoring them to a life of dignity and purpose. We must treat reparations for victims with the same seriousness with which we treat repercussions for perpetrators,” Odhiambo said.

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LSK initiatives

She added that the LSK would pursue several initiatives to support victims, including memorialising them, publishing their identities to honour their sacrifices, identifying unreported victims, and tracking all reported cases to ensure proper interventions.

Odhiambo also announced plans to submit proposals to the Chief Justice seeking practice directions to fast-track court hearings related to victims and to petition Parliament to review laws governing demonstrations, strengthen protections for protesters, and ensure reparations in cases of police excesses.

Odhiambo was appointed to the panel by President William Ruto through a gazette notice dated August 26, 2025. Her appointment sparked debate, with some Kenyans questioning whether she could uphold justice amid widespread reports of human rights violations during protests. Many expected her to decline the role to avoid what they viewed as a potential conflict.

During the panel’s swearing-in, however, Odhiambo defended her decision, saying her acceptance did not betray public trust.

“As I take up this responsibility, let it be known that I have in no way betrayed your trust. Let it be clear that access to criminal justice remains critical to me in our quest to promote and protect the rule of law as an essential element in the enjoyment of the fundamental human rights and freedoms,” she said.

She assured Kenyans that she would not let them down and that the sacrifices of the victims would not be in vain.

“I believe that should the same persuasion be shifted towards the success of this alternative approach, an equally positive outcome for victims remains attainable. May Justice remain our Shield and Defender,” Odhiambo said.

However, in September, the High Court in Kerugoya suspended the implementation of the framework for compensating victims of demonstrations and public protests.

Justice Kizito Magare issued conservatory orders on an application dated September 5, 2025, which he certified as urgent and ordered to be heard inter partes.

The court halted the commencement of the panel’s work and suspended Gazette Notice No. 12002 of August 25, 2025, which had established the reparations framework.

The court further restrained the respondents, their agents, or assigns from enforcing or acting on President Ruto’s August 6, 2025, directive regarding the compensation of victims of demonstrations and riots until the case is fully heard.