President William Ruto has formed a panel of 18 experts to oversee the compensation of victims affected by demonstrations and protests dating back to 2017. The team was formally announced through a gazette notice dated August 25.
The panel will be chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua, Ruto’s senior advisor on constitutional affairs and human rights. Faith Odhiambo Mony has been named vice chairperson of the committee, which is expected to roll out the framework announced by the President earlier this month.
Ruto had on August 8 unveiled a plan to compensate individuals who suffered losses or injuries during political protests, a move he described as necessary to address past injustices. The newly appointed taskforce will be responsible for turning that pledge into a working mechanism.
Other members of the panel include Kennedy N. Ogeto, Irungu Houghton, John Olukuru, Rev. Kennedy Barasa Simiyu, Linda Musumba, Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.
The gazette notice also outlined the technical team to support the committee. Richard Barno will serve as the Technical Lead, Duncan A. Okelo Ndeda as Co-Technical Lead, while Jerusah Mwaathime Michael and Raphael Ng’etich will act as Joint Secretaries.
According to the government, the panel’s main responsibility will be to design and establish an operational framework that can verify, categorize, and compensate eligible victims. It will also be expected to engage with stakeholders to guarantee inclusivity and fairness throughout the process.
In addition to compensation, the committee has been tasked with authenticating data on eligible victims and making recommendations on institutional reforms. It will also study how protests are policed and propose measures aimed at preventing future abuses.
The team is required to prepare periodic reports and submit them directly to the President for consideration. Its work is expected to lay the foundation for both compensation and long-term reforms in the management of demonstrations.
By Nairobi