The government has announced a clear timeline for compensation of individuals affected by human rights violations linked to protests between 2017 and 2024, with payments expected to begin as early as next week once verification is finalised.

The development marks a significant step in the implementation of a national reparations framework aimed at addressing past grievances.

The announcement was made on Monday, June 15, 2026, by Senior Presidential Advisor on Constitutional Affairs, Makau Mutua, during the launch of the Report on the Framework for Reparations for Victims of Human Rights Violations at State House.

He confirmed that an AI-powered case management system is being used to validate claims and enhance transparency in the process.

“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 a short time, as a week from today,” Mutua stated.

The compensation initiative forms part of the broader 10-point agenda outlined in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which was steered by opposition leader-turned statesman the late Raila Odinga.

The agreement contributed to the formation of the current broad-based government and established mechanisms for addressing past protest-related harms.

According to the Ministry of Interior, working jointly with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the framework is designed to strengthen accountability while ensuring fairness and transparency in identifying eligible victims.

Verification process

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also submitted verified lists of affected individuals.

So far, the compensation panel has received about 1,100 names from KNCHR and an additional 200 from IPOA. Further submissions include more than 200 cases drawn from institutions such as the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and National Youth Service (NYS).

Authorities have also documented over 160 claims involving destroyed businesses and economic losses.

The government has allocated Ksh2 billion in the 2025–2026 financial year to support the compensation programme. Beneficiaries include civilians and security personnel who suffered injuries, fatalities, torture, abductions, sexual violence, and property destruction during protest-related unrest.

To qualify, applicants must provide verified documentation including police P3 forms, medical reports, hospital discharge summaries, and Occurrence Book extracts. In death cases, families are required to submit post-mortem reports and witness statements.

Mutua said the verification process is ongoing, and once completed, disbursement of funds is expected to begin promptly, potentially within days. The move is being closely watched as a major test of Kenya’s transitional justice and reparations agenda.