NAIROBI— The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations, including those arising from demonstrations and public protests between 2013 and 2025, has officially begun disbursing payments to verified victims, marking a significant step towards national healing and accountability.
In the first phase of the programme announced today, 348 victims across six categories of harm will receive compensation totalling KSh 448.7 million. The payments are being made only to those who have given their explicit consent, underscoring the voluntary and dignified nature of the process.
According to the breakdown, 115 verified fatalities will each receive KSh 3 million; 24 victims with severe injuries will get KSh 1 million each; 137 individuals with moderate injuries are entitled to KSh 500,000 each; while 60 victims of minor injuries will receive KSh 50,000 per person. Additionally, eight victims of aggravated sexual offences will be compensated KSh 1 million each, and four cases of verified economic loss will receive KSh 50,000 per victim.
The Panel emphasised that this represents only the beginning of a continuous compensation exercise.
“This is the first phase of the compensation programme and will be implemented on a continuous basis until every eligible victim has been compensated,” the statement read. “We are committed to ensuring every verified victim is compensated promptly, fairly, and with the dignity they deserve.”
Victims were urged to provide consent without delay to facilitate faster processing. The Panel highlighted that every claim undergoes a rigorous administrative process guided by the Reparations Guidelines of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), including registration, verification, authentication, categorisation of harm, approval, and disbursement.
In a message directed at the victims, the Panel stated: “To the victims, the long wait is over. Today, we begin to make right what was wrong. Your courage in coming forward has made this day possible. We honour your resilience and your dignity.”
For transparency, the names of all compensated victims will be published periodically in the Kenya Gazette, in compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2019. The Panel also called on individuals who are yet to file claims or submit their banking details to do so urgently.
The Panel operates from the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC), Ground Floor. Affected persons can reach out via email at info@victimscompensation.go.ke or telephone on +254-141441294.
This initiative is seen as a landmark effort to address historical human rights violations in Kenya, offering both financial redress and public recognition to those who suffered during past electoral periods and public protests. The programme is expected to continue in subsequent phases until all verified claims are settled.
