President William Ruto’s senior advisor on constitutional affairs and human rights, Professor Makau Mutua, has accused Kenya’s political class and sections of the legal fraternity of working to block justice for victims of protests and riots.

In a post shared on X, on Sunday, September 21, 2025, the outspoken lawyer questioned why wealthy politicians and lawyers were fighting so hard to stop compensation, describing their actions as cynical and hypocritical.

“WHY would rich, wealthy, and powerful politicians and greedy lawyers fight so hard to deny victims of protests and riots compensation from the state? The cynicism, callousness, and hypocrisy of Kenya’s elites is truly galling. Shame on them!,” he posted.

Mutua earlier expressed disappointment with individuals obstructing the compensation of victims.

Mutua’s sharp words come against the backdrop of his role as chairperson of the Protest Victims Compensation Plan, a programme launched by President William Ruto in August 2025. The initiative was part of the government’s pledge to provide accountability, redress, and reparations to those harmed during protests since 2017, including both civilians and members of the security services.

When unveiling the plan, Mutua promised to assemble a broad panel that reflected the diversity of Kenya. He stated that women, youth, religious leaders, and members of civil society would be included to give the body national legitimacy. The panel was expected to design the framework for payouts, define eligibility, and ensure compliance with public finance laws.

Court battle

The compensation initiative drew support from human rights groups and families of victims, who saw it as a tangible step towards healing after years of political unrest.

However, the plan soon faced hurdles. In September, the High Court in Kerugoya issued orders halting the panel’s operations. Critics, among them former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, argued that the 2014 Victims Protection Act already offered a legal basis for such payouts and that new structures were unnecessary.