Ruto Extends Protest Victims Compensation Panel by 90 Days as Payout Delays Persist
The extension, announced through a Gazette Notice published on Friday, June 12, will take effect from June 5, 2026, and remain in force until September 5, 2026.
The notice was signed by Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei, who said the additional time would allow the panel to complete its assignment and finalize recommendations on compensation and restorative justice mechanisms.
“IT IS notified for the general information of the public that His Excellency the President has extended the term of the Panel of Experts appointed vide Gazette Notice No. 3115 of March 6, 2026, for a period of ninety (90) days, with effect from June 5, 2026,” Koskei stated in the official notice.
The panel was established earlier this year to identify victims, review claims, and recommend compensation for individuals who suffered injuries, deaths, property destruction, and other human rights violations during demonstrations and public protests between 2017 and 2024.
Compensation Delays Spark Frustration
In recent weeks, some victims threatened to return to the streets to protest what they described as delays in implementing the compensation programme despite repeated government assurances that payments would begin this year.
The extension means the panel will continue its work for another three months, effectively pushing back expectations that compensation would commence by June as earlier indicated by the government.
For many affected families, the delay represents another setback in a process that was intended to provide closure and recognition for years of suffering linked to political unrest and public demonstrations.
Human rights advocates have consistently argued that timely compensation is critical in promoting accountability, reconciliation, and public trust in government institutions.
Ruto Had Promised Compensation by June
The extension has also attracted attention because it appears to conflict with earlier timelines outlined by President Ruto.
At the time, Ruto revealed that the government had allocated Ksh2 billion through a supplementary budget to facilitate the compensation programme.
“I took the first step and gazetted a victims’ compensation panel. Even as the courts held it, we did some work. We have identified all the victims and profiled their names. We have a comprehensive list of all the victims of protests from 2017,” Ruto said.
The President further expressed confidence that the exercise would be completed before June.
“We believe that unless something happens, we should be able to conclude this exercise before June,” he added.
Victims from 2017 to 2024 Included
According to government officials, the initiative was developed in collaboration with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), which assisted in profiling and documenting victims across the country.
The panel’s findings are expected to shape a broader framework for restorative justice and determine how compensation will be distributed to affected individuals and families.
Stakeholders Await Final Recommendations
With the panel’s mandate now extended until September, attention is shifting to whether the additional period will enable the experts to complete their work and unlock compensation payments.
For thousands of affected Kenyans, however, the primary concern remains the same: when compensation promised by the government will finally reach those who have waited years for justice.
As the September deadline approaches, pressure is expected to mount on the government to deliver on one of its most closely watched commitments relating to human rights, accountability, and national reconciliation.
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Ruto Extends Protest Victims Compensation Panel by 90 Days as Payout Delays Persist
