I do not work for the gov't: Faith Odhiambo quells uproar on accepting Ruto's job

Following her swearing in on September 4, Kenyans have sparked debate, arguing that she would betray the course for justice amid human rights violations during protests.

In a rebuttal on Thursday, Odhiambo asserted that she is still committed to upholding the rule of law and she has not held any meetings with or on behalf of the panel.

She argued that she does not work for the State and she is in the panel solely to serve and administer her assigned role.

"I would like to emphasize that I do not work for the Government of Kenya nor the opposition; my call is to serve the people of Kenya and my learned colleagues at the Law Society of Kenya," she said.

She also welcomed a ruling by the High Court in Kerugoya, which temporarily halted the implementation of President William Ruto’s directive to establish a framework for the compensation of protest victims.

"Pending the hearing, the court stayed the commencement of the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests and suspended the implementation of Gazette Notice No. 12002 of August 25, 2025, which had appointed the panel to establish a reparations framework," read the court order.

The LSK president added that so far she has been consulting on the cause to compensate protest victims and "keenly listening to the voices of the victims".

"I know there are many Kenyans who were killed and injured, while others have been profiled and taken to court over trumped-up charges," she added.

Odhiambo urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to review the terrorism charges against peaceful protesters and shift focus on prosecuting the officers who were captured using excessive force during the demonstrations.

Odhiambo is part of an 18-member committee chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua, who is President William Ruto’s senior advisor on constitutional affairs and human rights.

The team was tasked with facilitating compensation of victims of demonstrations and protests dating back to 2017.

Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton, who is also part of the panel, has also suspended his participation in the panel.

He maintained that he will not exercise any tasks in the panel until the High Court provides further directives.

"Let it be understood that apart from the swearing in, I have not participated in any meetings or activities with or for the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims in Protests and Demonstrations," he said in a statement.