Makau Mutua sets date for unveiling panel for protest victims’ compensation
By Luke Oluoch, August 18, 2025The newly appointed coordinator of the Protest Victims Compensation Plan, Makau Mutua, has promised to constitute an all-inclusive panel that will reflect the face of Kenya.
Following his appointment as the coordinator of the task by the president on Friday, August 8, 2025, Mutua has promised that the panel composition will include women, youths, and members of religious societies.
The lawyer revealed during the joint Parliamentary Group meeting between Kenya Kwanza and ODM on Monday, August 18, 2025, that they will announce the panel by the end of the week.
“The panel we seek to create will have the face of Kenyans that all of you will be able to recognise, and see that it represents the face of the country.
“We will draw upon the civil society, religious organisations, the Law Society of Kenya, youth and women leaders,” he stated.
Mutua, who also serves as the Senior Advisor of Constitutional Affairs in the Executive Office of the President, further opined on the other roles the proposed panel will assume.
“The panel will approve the framework for a compensation process; it will establish eligibility criteria and schedules to be followed and perform other acts related to compensation. We will ensure adherence to public finance laws and human rights norms,” he added.
Unifying the nation
Mutua further defended the adoption of the initiative as key to attaining unity and redressing long-standing issues of justice.
“We feel that compensation for victims is the best place to start this process. Compensation is time-bound and tangible and intended to unify the country.
According to Ruto’s statement on the adoption of the special framework, the panel will be tasked with providing accountability, redress, and reparations for those affected by violent protests and riots. The move is anchored in the Constitution’s commitment to balancing civic responsibility with the exercise of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, as outlined in the Bill of Rights.
The framework will address incidents dating back to 2017, covering both members of the public and security personnel harmed during protests. The Executive Office of the President will coordinate the process in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Treasury, and other relevant state agencies.