President William Ruto has extended the term of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations by another three months.
The extension takes effect from September 4, 2026, according to a gazette notice issued on Friday by Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei.
The panel was initially appointed through a notice dated March 6, 2026, and has now been given additional time to continue with its work.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that His Excellency the President has extended the term of the panel appointed vide Gazette Notice No. 3115 of 6th March, 2026, for a further period of ninety (90) days, with effect from the 4th September, 2026,” the notice reads.
The latest extension comes as the government advances a compensation programme for victims of human rights violations, including those affected by demonstrations and public protests.
The panel is chaired by constitutional scholar Prof Makau Mutua, with Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Chairperson Claris Awuor Ogangah-Onyango serving as vice-chairperson.
Its mandate includes supporting the verification and categorisation of eligible victims, authenticating information from relevant State institutions and recommending appropriate reparations.
The panel is also expected to engage victims, families, civil society organisations and other stakeholders as it works to ensure the compensation process is inclusive and transparent.
The compensation initiative has since moved beyond the framework stage, with payments beginning for verified beneficiaries.
In June, the government announced that Sh2 billion had been set aside for compensation, following a report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
KNCHR Chairperson Claris Ogangah said the commission had received 1,937 claims covering human rights violations between 2017 and 2025 and had verified 1,101 cases at the time of the report.
The compensation programme covers several categories of harm, including fatalities, injuries, economic losses, sexual offences and violations suffered by uniformed officers.
The panel subsequently began processing compensation for verified victims.
By August, it had processed 680 legitimate claims and disbursed Sh896.1 million to victims, including those affected by demonstrations and public protests.
The extension also comes after changes to the panel’s role following a High Court ruling concerning the relationship between its mandate and that of KNCHR.
In December 2025, the High Court in Kerugoya affirmed KNCHR’s constitutional mandate to develop a national reparations framework for victims of human rights violations.
The commission subsequently undertook consultations with victims, survivors, State agencies and other stakeholders to develop the framework.
The Commission presented the national reparations framework and report to President Ruto in June, marking another step in the government’s compensation process.
On August 11, 2026, Justice Gregory Mutai ordered the government to set aside Sh105 million from the compensation fund for victims of enforced disappearances, torture and abductions, pending determination of a petition challenging their exclusion from the compensation process.
The latest 90-day extension means the panel will continue its work beyond its previous term as the government proceeds with compensation and related measures for victims of human rights violations.
