High Court Dismisses Ruto's Victims Compensation Panel, Calls for Respect for Independent Commissions

High Court has dealt President William Ruto a blow by issuing orders to extend an earlier court declaration on the Compensation Taskforce for Victims of Political Violence.

The High Court in Kerugoya ruled that the President had no reason to form an advisory panel on compensation outside of the remit of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

However, Justice Edward Muriithi directed that amendments be made to the presidential directive within 30 days, or the proclamation be quashed in its entirety.

This means that should the government still be keen on ensuring justice for the protest victims, then President Ruto should pursue the same within the KNCHR.

Additionally, the court directed that the report in question be submitted to the KNCHR, which shall undertake the necessary Executive actions and allow for any required amendments to bring the process into conformity with the Constitution.

The ruling follows a petition filed by lawyers and human rights activists who challenged Ruto's decision to establish a panel of experts to oversee the compensation of protest victims.

The appointments were gazetted on Monday, August 25, with the President directing that the team be led by his advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, Makau Mutua.

The panel, which was to be co-chaired by Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo, was formed to implement Ruto's August 8 proclamation in which he announced a framework for protest victims' compensation. However, Odhiambo resigned months later, following a public uproar.

The LSK President was replaced by the current KNCHR Chairperson Claris Awuor Ogangah-Onyango.