NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 23 – The government-backed compensation programme for victims of human rights violations has begun disbursing funds, with a panel chaired by constitutional scholar Makau Mutua announcing an initial payout of Sh448.7 million to 348 verified victims.
The payments mark the first phase of a wider Sh2 billion reparations framework covering victims of abuses linked to protests and demonstrations between 2013 and 2025.
The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations said the rollout follows recent national policy and institutional steps, including the formal reception of a KNCHR-backed report by President William Ruto at State House on June 15.
President Ruto said it marked “the beginning of a journey towards the recognition of injustice done to the victims,” adding that “a nation does not heal by choosing whose pain matters.”
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) report, which underpins the compensation framework, received 1,937 claims and verified 1,101 cases covering alleged violations such as extra-judicial killings, torture, abductions, sexual violence and destruction of property.
The panel overseeing implementation said the compensation process is grounded in that framework and supported by a Sh2 billion allocation approved by Parliament.
In its statement announcing the first payouts, the panel said it will only process claims for victims who have consented to the process.
“Only those who have consented to this process are being compensated. Consent is the final act that a beneficiary must give to receive compensation.”
The first phase covers 348 victims across six categories, including fatalities, injuries, sexual offences and economic loss.
Families of 115 victims killed during protests will receive Sh3 million each, while other beneficiaries include victims of severe, moderate and minor injuries.
The panel said the programme will continue “on a continuous basis until every eligible victim has been compensated,” and promised regular public updates.
It also reiterated that the reparations scheme is separate from accountability processes.
“The Panel wishes to emphasise that this process is separate from, and does not replace, ongoing accountability measures.”
That framework is expected to run alongside legal and institutional efforts aimed at addressing responsibility for violations committed during public demonstrations.
The payouts come just days after the high-level launch of the KNCHR-backed framework at State House with senior government and judicial officials present, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Chief Justice Martha Koome, and leaders from both government and opposition.
President Ruto, at the launch, said the Sh2 billion allocation “cannot replace a son or a daughter,” but represents a state commitment to acknowledge harm and begin structured reparations.