LSK President Faith Odhiambo vows victim-centred justice for protest and riot victims
Odhiambo recounted her encounters with families of victims still waiting for justice, including baby Pendo, killed during a midnight police operation in Kisumu, and others whose cases are delayed by a slow and unreliable criminal justice process.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has pledged to overhaul Kenya’s justice system for victims of protests and police brutality, promising a faster, fairer, and victim-centred approach.
She spoke after being sworn in as vice-chair of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations, Public Protests, and Riots, a position she was appointed to by President William Ruto.
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Odhiambo said her focus is on creating a system that is led by victims and ensures accountability and lasting change.
“Holistic justice requires that, as we seek accountability from perpetrators, we remain alive to the needs of protest victims, and the difficulty of their lived realities,” Odhiambo said.
Since the unrest on June 18, 2024, she has personally responded to countless calls and messages from victims and families, often at odd hours, reflecting the deep human cost of delayed justice.
In a Gazette Notice published in August 2025, President Ruto stated that the panel will implement a presidential proclamation by establishing a framework for identifying, verifying, and supporting affected individuals.
The 15-member panel is chaired by his constitutional advisor, Prof Makau Mutua, with Odhiambo serving as vice-chairperson. Other members include Kennedy Ogeto, Houston Irungu of Amnesty International Kenya, Dr John Olukuru, Rev Kennedy Barasa Simiyu, Dr Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Dr Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.
The technical team is led by Richard Barno, supported by Dr Duncan Okelo Ndeda as Co-Technical Lead, while Jerusah Mwaathime Michael and Dr Raphael Ng’etich serve as joint secretaries.
Odhiambo recounted her encounters with families of victims still waiting for justice, including baby Pendo, killed during a midnight police operation in Kisumu, and others whose cases are delayed by a slow and unreliable criminal justice process.
“Every conversation with inconsolable family members of victims who paid the ultimate price has proved whether a country can claim conscience when it harmed its own people,” she said.
Odhiambo outlined her priorities, which include memorialising victims, publicly honouring their lives, identifying unreported cases, and verifying reported ones.
LSK President also pledged to expedite criminal prosecutions, support civil litigation on behalf of victims, and propose urgent legislative and policy reforms to regularise compensation processes.
“The unprecedented structure and scope of mandate of this panel give room for a victim-led, accountability-centred approach towards realising holistic justice for victims,” she said.
Odhiambo vowed that her role on the panel will prioritise victims’ voices over politics or institutions, and that communication lines will remain open to families throughout the process.
She warned that the bloodshed of Kenyans must not be in vain. “Never again shall Kenyans be killed by trigger-happy officers for expressing their rights on the streets,” Odhiambo said.
Guided by the Constitution, moral duty, and the memories of victims, she pledged to transform Kenya’s justice system to ensure timely, transparent, and effective redress for all affected citizens.
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