Irungu Houghton resigns from protests victims' compensation panel

Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton has resigned from the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests, citing concerns over the extension of the panel’s mandate despite a court ruling.In a letter dated Friday, January 9, addressed to the panel’s chairperson, Makau Mutua, Houghton said his decision followed President William Ruto’s Thursday directive extending the panel’s mandate by 180 days, despite a High Court ruling that halted its operations last year.“I have resigned from the Panel of Experts with immediate effect. My decision follows the President’s Jan 5, 2026 extension of the panel’s mandate for a further 180 days despite the Dec 4, 2025 Kerugoya High Court ruling,” stated the rights defender.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsAppHoughton further said he has chosen to respect judicial rulings and the role of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and wishes to no longer be part of the 18-member taskforce.“As a constitutionalist, I am obligated to respect judicial determinations and act in a manner that safeguards the integrity of independent institutions. Continuing to serve on the Panel under these circumstances risks normalizing an arrangement that the court has expressly found to be unconstitutional and undermines the role assigned to KNCHR by law,” he added.He further said that the inclusion of his name as an appellant in a December 15 application seeking a stay was erroneous and not made in good faith.The Amnesty Kenya Director had in September last yearsuspended his participation in the taskforce followinga High Court order stopping the panel’s operations.“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

In a letter dated Friday, January 9, addressed to the panel’s chairperson, Makau Mutua, Houghton said his decision followed President William Ruto’s Thursday directive extending the panel’s mandate by 180 days, despite a High Court ruling that halted its operations last year.“I have resigned from the Panel of Experts with immediate effect. My decision follows the President’s Jan 5, 2026 extension of the panel’s mandate for a further 180 days despite the Dec 4, 2025 Kerugoya High Court ruling,” stated the rights defender.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsAppHoughton further said he has chosen to respect judicial rulings and the role of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and wishes to no longer be part of the 18-member taskforce.“As a constitutionalist, I am obligated to respect judicial determinations and act in a manner that safeguards the integrity of independent institutions. Continuing to serve on the Panel under these circumstances risks normalizing an arrangement that the court has expressly found to be unconstitutional and undermines the role assigned to KNCHR by law,” he added.He further said that the inclusion of his name as an appellant in a December 15 application seeking a stay was erroneous and not made in good faith.The Amnesty Kenya Director had in September last yearsuspended his participation in the taskforce followinga High Court order stopping the panel’s operations.“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

“I have resigned from the Panel of Experts with immediate effect. My decision follows the President’s Jan 5, 2026 extension of the panel’s mandate for a further 180 days despite the Dec 4, 2025 Kerugoya High Court ruling,” stated the rights defender.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsAppHoughton further said he has chosen to respect judicial rulings and the role of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and wishes to no longer be part of the 18-member taskforce.“As a constitutionalist, I am obligated to respect judicial determinations and act in a manner that safeguards the integrity of independent institutions. Continuing to serve on the Panel under these circumstances risks normalizing an arrangement that the court has expressly found to be unconstitutional and undermines the role assigned to KNCHR by law,” he added.He further said that the inclusion of his name as an appellant in a December 15 application seeking a stay was erroneous and not made in good faith.The Amnesty Kenya Director had in September last yearsuspended his participation in the taskforce followinga High Court order stopping the panel’s operations.“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

Houghton further said he has chosen to respect judicial rulings and the role of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and wishes to no longer be part of the 18-member taskforce.“As a constitutionalist, I am obligated to respect judicial determinations and act in a manner that safeguards the integrity of independent institutions. Continuing to serve on the Panel under these circumstances risks normalizing an arrangement that the court has expressly found to be unconstitutional and undermines the role assigned to KNCHR by law,” he added.He further said that the inclusion of his name as an appellant in a December 15 application seeking a stay was erroneous and not made in good faith.The Amnesty Kenya Director had in September last yearsuspended his participation in the taskforce followinga High Court order stopping the panel’s operations.“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

Houghton further said he has chosen to respect judicial rulings and the role of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and wishes to no longer be part of the 18-member taskforce.“As a constitutionalist, I am obligated to respect judicial determinations and act in a manner that safeguards the integrity of independent institutions. Continuing to serve on the Panel under these circumstances risks normalizing an arrangement that the court has expressly found to be unconstitutional and undermines the role assigned to KNCHR by law,” he added.He further said that the inclusion of his name as an appellant in a December 15 application seeking a stay was erroneous and not made in good faith.The Amnesty Kenya Director had in September last yearsuspended his participation in the taskforce followinga High Court order stopping the panel’s operations.“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

“As a constitutionalist, I am obligated to respect judicial determinations and act in a manner that safeguards the integrity of independent institutions. Continuing to serve on the Panel under these circumstances risks normalizing an arrangement that the court has expressly found to be unconstitutional and undermines the role assigned to KNCHR by law,” he added.He further said that the inclusion of his name as an appellant in a December 15 application seeking a stay was erroneous and not made in good faith.The Amnesty Kenya Director had in September last yearsuspended his participation in the taskforce followinga High Court order stopping the panel’s operations.“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

He further said that the inclusion of his name as an appellant in a December 15 application seeking a stay was erroneous and not made in good faith.The Amnesty Kenya Director had in September last yearsuspended his participation in the taskforce followinga High Court order stopping the panel’s operations.“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

The Amnesty Kenya Director had in September last yearsuspended his participation in the taskforce followinga High Court order stopping the panel’s operations.“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

“For the avoidance of any public doubt, I immediately suspended my participation in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests in accordance with Monday’s order by the High Court and my respect for the rule of law, constitution and judicial oversight,”Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

Additionally, he clarified that, aside from the official swearing-in ceremony, he had not attended any meetings nor performed any duties.In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

In October 2025, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo alsoresigned from her role as vicechairperson of the government-appointed panel, citing the need to safeguard the LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

The panel, established through a Kenya Gazette notice dated August 25, was mandated to recommend compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests.Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

Its term has now been extended by another six months.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UPFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest developments and special
offers!

Pick your favourite topics below for a tailor made homepage just for you