Ruto Appoints Faith Odhiambo To Deputise Makau Mutua In Panel Of Experts For Protest Victims

President William Ruto has set up a Panel of Experts to oversee compensation for victims of demonstrations and public protests across the country.

In a Gazette Notice issued on Tuesday, August 26, Ruto said the panel will roll out his Proclamation by creating a clear framework to identify, verify, and support those affected.

The 15-member team will be chaired by his Constitutional Advisor, Prof. Makau Mutua, with Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo Mony as vice-chairperson.

Other appointees include Kennedy N. Ogeto, Dr. Duncan Ojwang’ (who recently turned down Ruto’s nomination to chair the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights), Naini Lankas, Dr. Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.

The technical unit will be headed by Richard Barno, with Dr. Duncan A. Okelo Ndeda as Co-Technical Lead, while Jerusah Mwaathime Michael and Dr. Raphael Ng’etich will serve as joint secretaries.

The notice outlines that the Panel’s role will involve developing a framework to verify and classify victims, cross-checking information with credible bodies such as IPOA, KNCHR, and the Ministry of Health, and advising on suitable compensation measures.

Where sufficient evidence exists, the panel will also recommend prosecutions and accountability actions through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

In addition, the team will consult with victims’ families, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, and other stakeholders to guarantee that the compensation process remains fair, inclusive, and transparent. Their mandate will run for four months.

"In the discharge of its mandate, the Panel shall have the power to access information and records from any State organ or public office subject to law, as well as require the attendance of any person or institution to provide information or documents," Ruto directed.

"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."

President Ruto stated that financing for the Panel and the compensation program will follow the Public Finance Management Act and other relevant laws, with all disbursements made through traceable, auditable channels.

The Panel will also be tasked with upholding transparency by keeping detailed records for independent audits and releasing anonymised data together with regular progress reports.