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Kaluma: Faith Odhiambo at compensation taskforce to defend widows and orphans
07th September, 2025 02:10 PM
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has defended Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo against criticism following her decision to join the government’s task force on compensation for victims of recent protests, saying her presence will ensure justice for victims of human rights violations.
In a statement posted on his X account on September 7, 2025, Kaluma dismissed assertions that Faith Odhiambo’s participation is an act of betrayal, insisting that her role in the task force was a courageous step to secure justice for victims.
“Faith’s presence is not betrayal. It is courage – our shield and our voice – to ensure the young widows and orphans are not abandoned as others are compensated, like happened after 2007/8 PEV,” Kaluma stated.
Also watch: Ruto appoints Faith Odhiambo as vice-chair of compensation panel
Demanding accountability
Kaluma emphasised that Faith’s involvement in the decision-making process is vital for ensuring accountability, contrasting it with what he termed as ineffective dissent from outside.
“Our youth bled across Kenya as commercial activists enriched themselves. Justice for them will not come from noise outside but from the table where decisions are made,” Kaluma explained.
He further expressed that boycotting the compensation task force would not reflect principled action but rather a failure to engage in crucial discussions.
“Refusing to sit at the table doesn’t make you principled, it makes you absent,” he added.
Faith’s track record
Kaluma reminded Kenyans of Faith Odhiambo’s strong record during recent incidents of human rights violations, commending her for advocating for the rule of law and representing victims with dignity.
“We stood with President Faith Odhiambo when she rose to lead the Law Society of Kenya. Everybody looked up to her intervention during the recent human rights violations, and she stood for the rule of law and did us proud,” he stated.
Also watch: Former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter accuses LSK of losing credibility by aligning with Ruto govt
“Faith is our Daughter, our President, our Eye, our Pride. Let us rally behind her in this monumental journey to secure justice for victims of human rights violations,” he added.
Compensation taskforce
Kaluma’s comments come a few days after the official swearing-in ceremony of the newly formed Panel of Experts on the Compensation of Victims of Protests and Riots, which took place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The ceremony, held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, saw Constitutional Advisor Professor Makau Mutua take the oath of office as the chairperson of the panel, with Faith Odhiambo serving as vice chairperson.
Other members of the task force include Kennedy N. Ogeto, Irungu Houghton, John Olukuru, Kennedy Barasa Simiyu, Linda Musumba, Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.
