The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations during demonstrations has dismissed claims that the compensation programme has stalled, reiterating that payments are ongoing and urging the public to disregard what it termed misinformation surrounding the exercise.
In a statement on Thursday, Panel Chairperson Prof. Makau Mutua said the compensation process remains active, with claims continuing to be received, verified and approved before payments are made to eligible beneficiaries.
Mutua said reports suggesting the programme had stopped were false and risked causing unnecessary anxiety among victims awaiting compensation.
"Let it be clearly and emphatically stated: The Panel has compensated victims and continues to do so. Suggestions that the process has stalled, ceased or is nonexistent are inaccurate and malicious. The response from victims has been highly positive, reflected in the sharp increase in claims submitted and the growing trust in the Panel," he said.
According to the Panel, compensation cannot be processed instantly because every application undergoes rigorous verification to confirm eligibility before payment is approved.
It said beneficiaries must also give explicit consent before any compensation is released, describing the process as a safeguard against fraud and misuse of public funds rather than an unnecessary delay.
"This rigorous approach is not a delay; it is a safeguard against fraud and a guarantee that public funds are directed to those who genuinely deserve them. The Panel will not compromise on this standard of accountability," the statement said.
The Panel said it has recorded a steady increase in claims, which it attributed to growing public confidence in the programme, and encouraged victims who have not yet applied to submit their claims, assuring them that compensation will continue until every eligible claimant has been paid.
Mutua also cautioned individuals against spreading unverified information about the programme, saying inaccurate claims undermine victims who depend on reliable information regarding the compensation process.
To enhance transparency, the Panel said it will periodically publish and gazette the names of beneficiaries, with a comprehensive list to be released after the compensation exercise is completed.
However, it noted that publication of beneficiaries' details will only be done with their explicit consent, in compliance with the Data Protection Act, saying the requirement protects victims' privacy, safety and dignity.
Beyond financial compensation, the Panel said victims visiting its offices at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC) can also access counselling and psychosocial support services as part of efforts to promote their overall well-being.
The clarification comes days after some victims, including individuals who said they were abducted during the demonstrations, claimed they had been left out of the list of beneficiaries despite registering with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
The affected individuals said they submitted the required documentation in April and May this year but later discovered that their names did not appear in either the first or second lists of compensation recipients.
The complaints also come shortly after the Panel announced that it had so far disbursed Sh674.1 million to 505 verified victims as part of the ongoing compensation programme.
According to the Panel, Sh448.7 million was paid during the initial phase, while the second phase saw 157 claims fully processed, including 57 fatalities, 19 severe injury cases, 57 moderate injuries, 18 minor injuries and six aggravated sexual offence cases, with Sh225.4 million disbursed.
Mutua maintained that the Panel remains committed to ensuring all eligible victims are compensated fairly and transparently.
"The Panel remains steadfast in its victim-centred approach, conducting its work with integrity, transparency and compassion. The suffering of victims demands nothing less than our full commitment to justice, dignity, and accountability," he said.