Explained: How protest victims will be selected for compensation

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) chairperson, during her vetting before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC). [Elvis Ogina, Standard] As the deadline for registration of protest victims for compensation draws closer, the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR) has shed light on how the compensation process will be carried out. Speaking in an interview on NTV, KNCHR chairperson Claris Ongangah said the commission is compiling a list of victims from multiple sources, including those who reported directly to KNCHR and other state agencies. "On a daily basis, we receive complaints from victims. We have a system that categorises different kinds of complaints, including those related to protests and other rights violations," Ongangah said. She noted that the commission has disaggregated its data to prioritise victims of protests. "For compensation, the commission has a mandate to collect evidence and seek redress. We are going through our systems to come up with a concrete list of those affected during the protests," she said. Ongangah added that some victims had reported their cases to institutions such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the police and civil society organisations. In contrast, others had not reported at all. "That is why we issued a public call for those who may not have reported to any government agency to come forward," she said. She explained that once the commission reviews the evidence and documentation submitted, it will verify whether an individual qualifies as a victim before determining the appropriate form of redress. According to Ongangah, not all victims will qualify for monetary compensation, as different cases require different forms of support. "Not all victims will qualify for compensation. Some cases will require other forms of intervention, including rehabilitation," she said. However, she noted that priority for compensation will be given to those who were injured or lost their lives during the protests. "The list will prioritise those who were injured or died during the demonstrations," she said. On concerns about victims' safety and confidentiality, Ongangah said that the commission will uphold data protection standards. "We respect data protection and will not disclose personal information without consent. Those who are still afraid can channel their claims through other available avenues," she said. As of now, the commission has compiled 1,224 victims, whose cases are undergoing verification. "Some of the names were submitted to us, others registered directly, and some were already in our system. All are now going through verification," she said, adding that the number is expected to rise ahead of the Friday deadline. While the current compensation process focuses on protest-related victims, Ongangah noted that the broader reparations framework is inclusive. "The reparations framework does not target specific individuals. It is meant to address human rights violations broadly and ensure reparations for all Kenyans," she said. Earlier, human rights organisations and families had raised concerns over what they termed as a lack of clarity, limited outreach and a rushed timeline, warning that the process risks losing public trust if not handled carefully. However, Ongangah maintained that even after the deadline lapses, victims will still have alternative avenues to seek compensation, including the right to appeal.

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