Ruto Appoints Makau Mutua to Lead Protest Compensation Team

The Kenyan government has established a framework to compensate victims of public protests and riots dating back to 2017. 

President William Ruto has appointed legal scholar and human rights advocate Makau Mutua to lead the initiative as principal coordinator. The framework, operating under the Executive Office of the President, will collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and the National Treasury. 

Mutua's team has a 120-day mandate from the date of proclamation to coordinate compensation and support for affected individuals. President Ruto emphasised the importance of balancing constitutionally protected freedoms with civic responsibility and public safety. He framed the initiative as a matter of national interest, focused on fostering accountability and healing.

Mutua, a transitional justice expert with nearly three decades of experience, described the framework as "bold" and "unprecedented". He lauded President Ruto's leadership, highlighting the rarity of such a reparations mechanism, particularly in Africa.

"I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Raila Odinga for walking this journey with the President,” Mutua said, acknowledging the former Prime Minister's involvement.