Government Kicks Off Sh448.7 Million Compensation for Victims of Human Rights Violations

The government has officially launched the first phase of compensation for victims of human rights violations, including those affected by demonstrations and public protests between 2013 and 2025, with a total of Sh448.7 million earmarked for 348 verified beneficiaries.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations, chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua, the panel said the reparations programme had commenced following the completion of verification and consent processes. Only victims who have consented to the compensation process are currently being paid.

According to the panel, the beneficiaries fall under six categories of harm. Families of 115 victims who lost their lives will each receive Sh3 million, accounting for Sh345 million of the total allocation. Twenty-four victims classified as having suffered severe injuries will receive Sh1 million each, while 137 people with moderate injuries are set to receive Sh500,000 each.

The compensation package also includes Sh50,000 each for 60 victims who sustained minor injuries, Sh1 million each for eight victims of aggravated sexual offences, and Sh50,000 for four individuals who suffered economic losses. The panel emphasized that this marks only the first phase of the programme and pledged to continue the exercise until all eligible victims have been compensated.

Prof. Mutua said every approved claim underwent a rigorous process based on guidelines developed by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), including registration, verification, authentication, categorization of harm and approval. He added that the names of compensated victims will be published periodically in the Kenya Gazette in line with the Data Protection Act.

The panel further urged victims who have not yet filed claims or submitted their banking details to do so without delay. Its offices are located on the ground floor of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.