Government Reveals When Protest Victims Will Be Paid, Outlines Compensation Requirements

Victims of human rights violations linked to demonstrations and political unrest between 2017 and 2024 could begin receiving government compensation as early as next week following the completion of an extensive verification exercise.

The announcement was made on June 15 at State House by Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs, Professor Makau Mutua, during the unveiling of the Report on the Framework for Reparations for Victims of Human Rights Violations.

The report outlines the government’s plan to compensate individuals and families who suffered various forms of harm during protests and periods of civil unrest over the last seven years.

According to Professor Mutua, the compensation process has entered its final stages after the development and deployment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-integrated case management system designed to streamline verification, enhance accountability, and ensure transparency in the handling of claims.

“The panel, Your Excellency, is now subjecting all of these names to verification assisted by its AI-integrated case management system and will be in a position, Your Excellency, to begin making payments in as short a time as a week from today,” said Mutua.

The compensation initiative forms part of the recommendations contained in the National Dialogue Committee (NaDCO) report, which emerged from bipartisan talks aimed at addressing political tensions and national governance issues.

The dialogue process, which was spearheaded by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other political leaders, resulted in several key reforms, including the establishment of a broad-based government and a commitment to addressing historical injustices arising from political demonstrations.

Government officials say the reparations framework seeks to restore public confidence in state institutions by ensuring that victims receive justice through a transparent, fair, and accountable compensation process.

The Ministry of Interior is implementing the programme in collaboration with the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR), which has played a central role in documenting and verifying cases.

So far, the compensation panel has received approximately 1,100 names from the KNCHR and an additional 200 cases submitted by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).These cases have been incorporated into the report and are currently undergoing final verification.

The report further indicates that more than 200 additional victims have been identified through various state agencies, including the National Police Service (NPS), the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), and the National Youth Service (NYS). These individuals are also being considered for compensation under the programme.

In addition to personal injury and death-related claims, the government has received more than 160 applications from individuals whose businesses were destroyed or who suffered significant economic losses during periods of unrest. These claims are also being assessed as part of the broader reparations exercise.

To facilitate the programme, the government has allocated Ksh2 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year budget. The funds are expected to support compensation payments for a wide range of victims, including civilians and security officers who suffered harm during demonstrations.

The compensation scheme covers individuals who sustained injuries, families who lost loved ones, and persons whose livelihoods were negatively affected by protest-related incidents.

It also extends to victims of alleged police brutality and other serious human rights violations, including unlawful killings, severe injuries, torture, abductions, enforced disappearances, sexual and gender-based violence, and destruction of property.

Officials have emphasized that the programme aims not only to provide financial relief to affected individuals and families but also to acknowledge the suffering endured by victims and promote national healing and reconciliation.

Requirements for Compensation

Victims seeking compensation, as well as families pursuing claims on behalf of affected relatives, must submit supporting documentation to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission for verification and validation before payments can be processed.

Among the key documents required are police-issued P3 forms, medical examination reports, hospital discharge summaries, and Occurrence Book (OB) reports detailing the circumstances surrounding the alleged violations.

For death-related claims, families must provide post-mortem reports, witness statements, and any other relevant evidence that can help establish the circumstances of the incident and support their applications.

Professor Mutua noted that the verification exercise is still ongoing but nearing completion. Once all submitted cases have been reviewed and validated, the government will commence disbursement of compensation funds to eligible victims.

The move marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the NaDCO recommendations and represents one of the government’s most comprehensive efforts to address human rights violations arising from political protests and public demonstrations in recent years.

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