The High Court in Kerugoya has dealt an early blow to President William Ruto’s controversial plan to compensate victims of protests, issuing conservatory orders that slam the brakes on the panel tasked with designing a reparations framework.
Justice Kizito Magare, sitting in Kerugoya, certified as urgent an application challenging the legality of the President’s directive. In his ruling, the judge suspended Gazette Notice No. 12002 of August 25, 2025, which had formally appointed the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests.
“Pending the hearing, the court stayed the commencement of the mandate of the Panel of Experts…and suspended the implementation of the presidential proclamation of August 6, 2025,” the order reads. The directive restrains government officials, agents, or assigns from acting on the proclamation until the matter is determined.
Justice Magare directed that the respondents and interested parties be served immediately and file responses within seven days. The petitioner will then have three days to file submissions, with a deadline of September 24, while the State and other parties will have until September 30 to submit their responses.
The case will next be mentioned for directions on October 6, 2025.
The ruling marks the latest escalation in a bitter dispute over the constitutionality and morality of the panel, which critics argue usurps the powers of established institutions such as the DPP, the Inspector General of Police, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. Supporters, however, insist it represents a bold step toward reparative justice for victims of police brutality.
For now, though, the ambitious plan remains frozen its fate now resting with the courts.
