Forty-nine uniformed officers have been approved for compensation over human rights violations suffered while carrying out their duties, with the Panel of Experts also approving enhanced awards for five victims with permanent and life-altering injuries.
In a statement on Friday, Makau Mutua, the chairperson of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests said the compensation for the officers was part of its recognition of the harm suffered by personnel during the period under review.
Of the 49 officers whose claims have been approved, seven sustained severe injuries, 37 suffered moderate injuries and five had minor injuries.
The decision marks an expansion of the compensation process to include uniformed officers who suffered human rights violations, with the Panel saying their claims would receive appropriate compensation.
“In acknowledgement of the dedication by our uniformed officers to protecting the public, the Panel has resolved to grant appropriate compensation for the human rights violations they sustained during the period in question,” Mutua said.
The Panel did not disclose the total amount awarded to the 49 officers in the update.
It also announced that five victims had been approved for above-scale compensation after a case-by-case review of their circumstances.
According to the Panel, the decision was based on the nature of the injuries suffered, which it described as permanent, grave and life-altering.
The additional awards followed a review of medical reports and post-application submissions presented by the victims.
The Panel said it will recommend to President William Ruto that the five beneficiaries be included in a government-funded lifetime medical scheme.
“In line with the Reparations Guidelines 2026 provision for Review,” the Panel said, it had also reclassified three claims from minor to severe after reviewing medical reports and post-application submissions.
The affected victims were subsequently awarded additional compensation.
The Panel through its chairman said the 2026 Reparations Guidelines also provide for compensation for victims of enforced disappearance.
Such claims, however, require detailed investigation and verification before a final determination can be made.
The Panel said all claims involving enforced disappearance are currently undergoing review and may either be approved, referred for further investigation or found ineligible.
The compensation process also covers victims of sexual offences and economic losses. Nine sexual offences claims have been lodged, eight of which have been processed and compensated, while one remains pending.
Under the economic loss category, the Panel said it had received 600 claims. Four had been fully processed and compensated, while 594 were still awaiting determination of eligibility.
The Panel said it would continue reviewing claims in line with the 2026 Reparations Guidelines, while maintaining what it described as a victim-centred approach based on “integrity, transparency, and compassion.”