Victims of rights violations between 2013-2025 eligible for Sh2 billion payout - Prof Mutua

A government-backed compensation programme has been launched to provide redress for victims of human rights violations arising from protests and demonstrations in Kenya.

The Sh2 billion initiative seeks to provide timely, fair, and transparent redress to victims, both civilians and security personnel, affected between 2013 and 2025.

In a statement, the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations, chaired by Prof Makau Mutua, said the programme is designed to acknowledge the trauma and losses experienced by individuals who suffered harm while exercising or protecting their constitutional rights.

The Panel noted that the compensation programme will be implemented pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1 of 2026 and guided by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Reparation Guidelines 2026.

It stressed that the programme serves as a solemn acknowledgement of the suffering endured by victims and is intended to validate their experiences while providing a clear pathway for relief.

"The compensation programme is designed to acknowledge the trauma and losses experienced by individuals, including civilians and security personnel, who suffered harm while exercising or protecting their constitutional rights. With a parliamentary appropriation of Sh2 billion, the Panel is committed to providing timely, fair, and transparent redress initially to those affected between 2013 and 2025," said Prof Mutua.

"The programme is an act of solemn acknowledgement. It serves to validate the experiences of victims and to provide a clear pathway for relief," he added.

Prof Mutua emphasised that the compensation process is separate from ongoing accountability measures and should not be viewed as a substitute for efforts aimed at establishing responsibility for human rights violations.

"The Panel wishes to emphasise that this process is separate from, and does not replace, ongoing accountability measures," he said.

To facilitate implementation of the programme, the panel has prepared a comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to guide victims through the compensation framework.

The document details eligibility requirements, application procedures, and the protections available to applicants seeking compensation.

The Panel said it remains committed to ensuring that all victims receive the recognition they deserve while upholding the highest standards of integrity and fiscal responsibility throughout the process.