Faith Odhiambo and the full list of Ruto’s protest victims’ compensation panellists
The government’s recently appointed panel on compensation for protest victims has continued to draw national attention, with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo serving as vice-chairperson alongside some of the country’s most recognisable legal, academic and civil society figures.
The team, which was formally gazetted on Monday, August 25, 2025, is chaired by constitutional law scholar Professor Makau Mutua and has been tasked with implementing President William Ruto’s reparations framework for those killed or injured during demonstrations and riots.
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It is worth noting that a Kerugoya High Court, on Monday, September 8, 2025, temporarily issued a conservatory order blocking Ruto’s appointed protest victims’ compensation panellists from starting their work.
The initiative was framed by the Head of State as part of a wider effort to promote national healing and cohesion in the aftermath of violent protests.
“Presidential Proclamation issued on the 6th August, 2025, the Head of State and Government, acting in furtherance of the State’s constitutional mandate to promote national healing and cohesion, established a Framework for the Reparation and Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations, Public Protests, and Riots,” the gazette read in part.
Faith Odhiambo’s elevation to the vice-chair role positioned her at the heart of a highly sensitive mandate as she will be overseeing a process that combines compensation, accountability, and long-term institutional reform.
Also watch Faith Odhiambo’s appointment as vice-chair of the compensation panel.
Other panellists
The panel of experts reflects a carefully assembled balance of professionals from diverse fields.
Members include Amnesty International Kenya director Irungu Houghton, legal scholar Dr Duncan Ojwang, governance expert Dr John Olakuru, Reverend Father Kennedy Haraka Simiyu, journalist and corporate executive Juliet Chepkemei, as well as other specialists such as Dr Francis Muraya, Fatuma Kisi A, and Raphael Anampi.
The list also features technical leads Richard Barno and Dr Duncan A. Okelo Ndeda, supported by joint secretaries Jerusha Mwaathime Michael and Dr Raphael Ngetich.
According to the gazetted mandate, the panel is expected to design and establish an operational framework to verify, categorise, and compensate eligible victims.
It is also tasked with engaging families of victims, human rights institutions, civil society organisations, and religious leaders to ensure fairness and inclusivity in the compensation process.
“Terms of Reference of the Panel shall be to design and establish an operational framework to verify, categorise, and compensate eligible victims.”
The experts will further authenticate data on victims from official agencies, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the National Police Service, and the Ministry of Health.
In cases where violations are established, the panel may recommend reparations, prosecutions, or accountability measures to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and other oversight bodies.
“( 2) engage with relevant stakeholders, including families of victims, State institutions mandated to address human rights issues, civil society organisations, and religious institutions to ensure inclusivity and fairness in the compensation process: authenticate data on eligible Victims from authoritative sources, including IPOA. POA. KNCHR, the National Police Service, the Ministry of Health, and civil society,” the gazette read.
Beyond payouts, the panel was directed to propose institutional and legislative reforms that address Kenya’s culture of policing and public protest management.
The 15-member team was also granted wide-ranging powers, including summoning individuals and institutions, accessing state records, and co-opting additional experts.
It is expected to publish progress reports during its tenure and deliver a final comprehensive report to the President within 120 days of appointment.
“In the discharge of its mandate, the Panel shall have the power 10 access information and records from any State organ ot public office subject to law, request the attendance of any person or institution to provide information or documents. IV. The term of the Panel shall be for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date hereof, or for such other period as may be specified in the Kenya Gazette,” it added.
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Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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