NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has urged the government to urgently allocate resources to develop and verify a national reparations framework for victims of gross human rights violations.
The call comes as Kenya marked the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims under the theme “The truth is an empowering and healing force.”
In a statement on Tuesday, KNCHR Chairperson Claris Ogangah said decades of delays have left survivors of torture, unlawful killings, massacres, and sexual and gender-based violence without meaningful access to justice and redress.
“The truth about human rights abuses… is essential for accountability, justice, healing and the prevention of future abuses,” Ogangah said, noting that the Commission has begun engaging victims and survivors to inform the development of a comprehensive reparations framework.
KNCHR expressed concern that despite years of policy discussions and legislative efforts, the proposed frameworks remain in draft form, leaving victims without formal mechanisms to pursue compensation and justice.
The Commission said it has contributed to drafting laws and advisories aimed at recognising victims’ rights, working alongside institutions such as the Office of the Attorney General, parliamentary committees, and county governments. However, implementation gaps persist.
According to KNCHR, the envisioned framework goes beyond financial compensation. It seeks to restore victims’ dignity, provide restitution, compensate for social and material losses, and promote long-term peace and reconciliation within communities.
“The reparation framework intended is a comprehensive law… to dignify members of our population for their suffering as enshrined in Article 28 of the Constitution,” Ogangah said.
The Commission also called for accountability measures against perpetrators and urged full implementation of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission Act, including the formal gazettement and public dissemination of its report to guide state action.
Additionally, KNCHR appealed to William Ruto to formally recognise sexual and gender-based violence and historical massacres as gross human rights violations and to issue official apologies to survivors.
“The Commission calls upon the President to acknowledge SGBV as a gross human rights violation… and consider making a specific apology to victims,” the statement added.
