President William Ruto’s 18-member taskforce on compensation for victims of police brutality and protest-related injuries has told the court that its establishment was lawful, humane, and aimed at addressing long-standing injustices against Kenyans who suffered during public unrests.
Led by Professor Makau Mutua, the panel argued that for years, victims of protest violence have been left without accessible legal remedies, often forced to pursue expensive and prolonged lawsuits that many could not afford.
“The President acted within the law and in good faith to respond to the cries of thousands who have suffered in silence,” reads part of the submissions filed in court.
The team clarified that its mandate is purely advisory to collect and verify data on genuine victims, collaborate with agencies such as the KNCHR, IPOA, the National Police Service, and the Ministry of Health, and compile recommendations within 120 days.
“The panel neither pays nor prosecutes anyone. It only makes recommendations that will later be reviewed by the Treasury, Parliament, and other oversight institutions,” they stated.
The government said the initiative followed calls from the church, civil society, and the opposition to assist victims of police brutality, comparing it to past compensation programs for post-election violence and internally displaced persons. However, the panel said new safeguards had been introduced to eliminate fake claims and ghost beneficiaries.
Citing Articles 131 and 132 of the Constitution, the experts maintained that the President was within his powers to coordinate executive functions and establish advisory bodies.
“Creating panels or taskforces to gather facts and recommend policy actions is a normal executive function not an intrusion into judicial or parliamentary roles,” the submissions added.
The government further dismissed claims that the panel duplicates the work of existing bodies like KNCHR, saying the process is guided by the Public Finance Management Act and the Data Protection Act to ensure transparency and accountability.
Halting the taskforce’s work, they warned, would only delay justice for victims who have waited years for closure.
“This process is not political,” the state maintained. “It’s about compassion, fairness, and national healing.”
