President Ruto's panel on protests compensation to file court appeal

The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests and Riots that was appointed by President William Ruto and later suspended by the High Court has announced plans to move to court to seek judicial guidance after the Head of State reviewed its mandate to make it an advisory entity.

This came after the Kerugoya High Court on December 9, 2025, ruled that the President has no constitutional authority to constitute a body to lead compensation of victims, holding that the mandate squarely falls within the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

A Gazette Notice dated January 5, 2026, issued by the head of public service, Felix Koskei, indicated that the panel chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua will now be an advisory entity with a mandate of six months.

According to the Gazette Notice, the functions of the Panel will now be to advise the President on the lawful and constitutional implementation of the reparations framework for victims of public protests and riots, based upon a report prepared by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Consequently, in a statement issued on Friday, Prof Mutua indicated that the panel would be moving to court to file an appeal to "seek clarity on the larger legal issues arising from the judgment."

"The filing of the appeal does not suspend, delay, or negate compliance with the existing court order," Prof Mutua clarified. "Rather, it is intended to enable the Judiciary to further pronounce itself on the principles involved, in the interest of clarity and the orderly development of jurisprudence."