NAIROBI, Kenya — The government-appointed Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations has disbursed Sh674.1 million to 505 verified victims, even as fresh compensation claims continue to rise following a nationwide appeal for applications.
In a statement issued on Friday, the panel chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua said more than 400 new claims have been received over the past two weeks after it urged victims to come forward.
The new applications include claims lodged at the panel’s offices at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), as well as additional names submitted by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
The panel said the latest phase of the programme approved 157 claims worth Sh225.4 million after completing a verification process.
Among the beneficiaries were the families of 57 people who lost their lives, each receiving Sh3 million, accounting for Sh171 million of the latest payout.
Another 19 victims who sustained severe injuries were awarded Sh1 million each, while 57 people with moderate injuries received Sh500,000 apiece. Eighteen victims classified as having suffered minor injuries were compensated Sh50,000 each, while six survivors of aggravated sexual offences were awarded Sh1 million each.
“To date, 505 victims have been compensated, with total disbursements of Sh674.1 million. This includes Sh448.7 million disbursed in the initial phase,” the panel said.
According to the experts, the beneficiaries represent 56pc of all claims received and processed so far.
The panel said every successful application underwent rigorous verification and authentication before compensation was approved.
“Every approved claim has undergone the strictest scrutiny for verification and authentication to confirm eligibility,” the statement said.
It added that the full list of beneficiaries will be published once the compensation exercise is completed, in line with legal requirements on accountability and transparency.
The panel urged victims who have not yet submitted claims, consent forms, bank account details or other payment information to do so without delay to facilitate processing.
“The programme will continue on a rolling basis until every eligible victim is compensated. We remain committed to ensuring prompt, fair and dignified compensation for all verified victims,” the panel said.
The experts also addressed public concerns over whether victims of enforced disappearances and torture are covered under the programme, saying supplementary frequently asked questions have been prepared to clarify the scope of the compensation exercise.
Speaking directly to survivors, Prof. Mutua praised those who had come forward to seek redress.
“To the victims, your courage in coming forward has made this possible. We continue to honour your resilience and dignity as we make steady progress, and we shall not rest until every victim gets justice,” he said.
In addition to financial compensation, the panel announced that psychological support services remain available at its KICC offices, where victims can access counselling and psychosocial care to help them cope with trauma arising from their experiences.
The compensation programme was established to provide redress to victims of human rights violations arising from demonstrations and public protests, with the panel maintaining that the exercise will continue until all verified claims have been settled.