Sh1 billion paid to 1,083 victims of human rights violations

Police arrest protesters in Nairobi during Gen Z demonstrations. [File]

The government has so far paid Sh1.014 billion to 1,083 victims of human rights violations arising from demonstrations and public protests, according to the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations.

The panel said the claims processed so far cover fatalities, injuries, sexual violence, economic losses and other recognised forms of harm under the applicable reparations framework.

Prof Makau Mutua, chairperson and principal coordinator of the panel, said Sh1,014,650,000 had been disbursed under the programme as of the latest reporting period.

“For context, the panel's total implementation phases have resulted in substantial disbursements, with the midterm records showing total disbursements of Sh1,014,650,000 across the programme at the reporting point. To date, 1,083 claims have been processed. These cover fatalities, injuries, sexual violence, economic loss, and other recognised harm under the applicable framework,” Mutua said in a statement sent to newsrooms.

He said compensation was continuing on a rolling basis, with each claim subjected to verification, authentication and categorisation before a payment decision is made.

“This safeguards the integrity of the process and helps ensure awards reach genuine, eligible victims,” he said.

On economic losses, Mutua said the panel had made notable progress in addressing verified losses, particularly those suffered by small and informal business owners.

“To date, 139 such claims have been settled,” he said.

He said demonstrations, public protests and related incidents had disrupted livelihoods, businesses and property, making economic-loss claims an important part of the victim-centred approach to redress.

Such claims are assessed against supporting evidence, including business records, police records, photographs and witness statements, he said.

The panel has also approved compensation for uniformed officers who suffered human rights violations during the period under review, with 100 claims received and approved.

Mutua said the panel had also reviewed two claims, one civilian and one involving a uniformed officer, under the review provisions of the Reparations Guidelines, 2026.

After examining medical reports and post-application submissions, the panel reclassified the two claims and approved payments above the standard scale following case-by-case assessments.

“The panel shall further recommend to the President that the victims be included in a government-funded lifetime medical scheme,” Mutua said.

He said the panel had continued to engage victims and beneficiaries through various communication channels, allowing it to hear directly from those affected and establish feedback mechanisms on the compensation programme.

“As of this afternoon, several affected persons have confirmed receipt of their compensation. The Panel considers direct contact with victims essential. This allows concerns to be addressed, claim status clarified, and beneficiaries treated with dignity and respect. It remains committed to open, honest, and victim-centred communication,” he said.

Mutua said the panel had acknowledged communications received concerning implementation of the compensation programme, adding that concerns raised were important to the credibility, transparency and effectiveness of the reparations process.

The panel has also been named as the second respondent in Petition No. E488 of 2026 filed in the High Court in July.

Mutua said the panel had taken the necessary steps to comply with the court's directives to sequester and ring-fence Sh105 million from the compensation fund for victims of torture and enforced disappearances pending the hearing and determination of the petition.

The panel, he said, remained committed to engaging relevant stakeholders in implementing the reparations framework.

It is also continuing to process and assess claims beyond the earlier compensation phases.

“Phase IV and Phase V comprise claims that have undergone the requisite verification, authentication, categorisation, and approval processes,” Mutua said.

Under Phase IV and V, 179 civilian claims have been identified for compensation at a total cost of Sh84.9 million, 96 claims worth Sh74.4 million in Phase IV and 83 claims worth Sh10.5 million in Phase V.

They include nine fatality claims, with each beneficiary set to receive Sh3 million; 32 severe-injury claims at Sh1 million each; 28 moderate-injury claims at Sh500,000 each; 14 minor-injury claims at Sh50,000 each; and 13 economic-loss claims at Sh50,000 each.

For uniformed officers, 29 claims have been identified at a total cost of Sh6.2 million. They comprise one fatality claim at Sh3 million, four moderate-injury claims at Sh500,000 each and 24 minor-injury claims at Sh50,000 each.

In Phase V, two fatality claims at Sh3 million each, one aggravated-injury claim at Sh1.5 million and 80 economic-loss claims at Sh50,000 each.

For uniformed officers, the panel identified claims involving one fatality, four aggravated injuries, 19 moderate injuries and 75 minor injuries.

The panel said these claims were valued at a total of Sh113.8 million and urged victims and beneficiaries to continue engaging through established channels and to rely on official communication regarding the status of their claims.

“The Panel remains committed to ensuring that every eligible victim is treated fairly, transparently and with dignity, and that no eligible victim is left behind,” Mutua said.