Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human
Rights Violations chairperson Prof Makau Mutua /FILEThe compensation panel has processed 1,083 claims by victims of human rights violations, with total disbursements under the programme reaching Sh1.01 billion at the latest reporting point.
The claims cover fatalities, injuries, sexual violence, economic losses and other recognised forms of harm, the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations said on Tuesday.
The panel said the claims were being processed on a rolling basis, with each case undergoing verification, authentication and categorisation before a payment decision is made.
It said the process was intended to ensure compensation reached genuine and eligible victims.
The panel has also settled 139 claims relating to verified economic losses, particularly those suffered by small and informal business owners.
Such claims are assessed using supporting evidence including business records, police records, photographs and witness statements, the panel said.
It has also approved 100 claims from uniformed officers who suffered human rights violations during demonstrations, public protests and related incidents.
The panel said two claims, involving one civilian and one uniformed officer, had been reclassified after review of medical reports and information submitted after the initial applications.
Following case-by-case assessment, the panel approved payments above the normal compensation scale for the two claims.
It will also recommend to the President that the two victims be included in a government-funded lifetime medical scheme.
The panel said it had continued to engage victims and beneficiaries through various communication channels, with some affected persons confirming receipt of their compensation.
“The compensation program is fundamentally victim-centred. It is intended to acknowledge the harm victims have suffered, restore dignity, and provide tangible administrative redress as part of Kenya's broader journey toward national healing and reconciliation,” the panel said.
The panel said direct engagement with victims was important in addressing concerns, clarifying the status of claims and ensuring beneficiaries were treated with dignity.
It also said it had taken steps to comply with court directives in Petition No. E488 of 2026, in which it was named as the second respondent.
The panel said it had sequestered and ring-fenced Sh105 million from the compensation fund for victims of torture and enforced disappearances pending the hearing and determination of the petition.
The latest update also covered Phase IV and Phase V of the programme, whose claims had undergone verification, authentication, categorisation and approval.
Phase IV comprises 96 civilian claims and 29 involving uniformed officers, while Phase V has 83 civilian claims and 99 involving uniformed officers, bringing the two phases to 307 claims.
The panel said compensation for victims did not replace criminal accountability or other legal remedies available to them.
It said the programme formed part of a broader reparative process through which the State responds to harm while supporting accountability, institutional reform and guarantees of non-repetition.
The panel urged victims and beneficiaries to continue using established channels and rely on official communication regarding the status of their claims.
