Govt begins compensation for protest victims as first 348 receive payments
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 23, 2026The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations has started paying the first batch of victims affected by protests and public demonstrations in Kenya. The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, marking the formal start of the reparation programme covering cases from 2013 to 2025.
The panel, chaired by Makau Mutua, confirmed that only victims who have given consent will receive compensation. It stressed that consent is the final step before any payment is released. Eligible victims who have not yet submitted consent forms or payment details were urged to do so without delay.
In the first phase, 348 verified victims have received a total of Ksh448.7 million. The payouts cover six categories of harm, with different rates depending on the severity of injury or loss.
The breakdown shows 115 families receiving Ksh3 million each for fatalities, totalling Ksh345 million. A further 24 victims with severe injuries received Ksh1 million each, totalling Ksh24 million. Another 137 people with moderate injuries were paid Ksh500,000 each, amounting to Ksh68.5 million. Sixty victims classified under minor injuries received Ksh50,000 each, totalling Ksh3 million.
Eight victims of aggravated sexual offences received Ksh1 million each, totalling Ksh8 million. Four cases of economic loss were compensated at Ksh50,000 each, totalling Ksh200,000. The table below presents a detailed breakdown of the first phase of compensation across different categories of harm.
| No. | Category of Harm | Verified Victims | Rate per Victim (Ksh) | Total Amount (Ksh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fatality | 115 | 3,000,000 | 345,000,000 |
| 2 | Severe Injury | 24 | 1,000,000 | 24,000,000 |
| 3 | Moderate Injuries | 137 | 500,000 | 68,500,000 |
| 4 | Minor Injuries | 60 | 50,000 | 3,000,000 |
| 5 | Aggravated Sexual Offences | 8 | 1,000,000 | 8,000,000 |
| 6 | Economic Loss | 4 | 50,000 | 200,000 |
| Total | — | 348 | — | 448,700,000 |
Makau Mutua said the programme will continue in phases until all verified victims are compensated.
“We are committed to ensuring every verified victim is compensated, promptly, fairly, and with the dignity they deserve,” he said. He added that the process will remain transparent, with regular public updates on progress.
Claims verification process explained
Every claim approved for payment has gone through the Reparations Guidelines developed by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The process includes registration, verification, authentication, categorisation of harm, approval and final disbursement. The panel said it will publish the names of compensated victims periodically in the Kenya Gazette, in line with the Data Protection Act, 2019.
The panel also confirmed that funds will be paid directly into victims’ bank accounts after verification. It noted that the standard of proof is a “reasonable basis to believe”, which is lower than the threshold used in court cases. However, it maintained that all claims must be supported by documents such as medical reports, post-mortem forms, police records or witness statements depending on the type of harm.
The compensation programme covers victims of human rights violations arising from protests and demonstrations between 2013 and 2025. The government has set aside Ksh2 billion for the exercise. Authorities say the payments will continue until all verified claims are settled.
Mutua’s panel operates from the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC). Victims can also submit claims or update details through email or by telephone.
The announcement comes ahead of public debate on the value of the compensation package. Siaya Governor James Orengo criticised the Ksh3 million payout for fatalities, calling it insufficient.
“If they get about Ksh3 million for the loss of a young man, I don’t think that is adequate compensation,” he said. He added that in some court cases, families receive between Ksh 20 million and Ksh 50 million depending on circumstances.