Govt Breaks Silence on Compensation of Enforced Disappearance Victims

Govt Explains Delay in Compensation for Missing Persons

The government has responded to concerns over the compensation of victims of enforced disappearance, saying claims filed under the category are still undergoing review.

The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations said cases involving enforced disappearance are complex and require intensive investigation and verification before a decision can be made.

In an update issued on Friday, August 7, 2026, the Panel said all claims submitted by victims of enforced disappearance are being reviewed and will be subjected to the appropriate resolution.

The possible outcomes include approval for compensation, referral for further investigation or a determination that a claim is ineligible.

The clarification comes days after victims of enforced disappearance held a joint press conference in Nairobi, where they raised concerns over what they described as being sidelined in the compensation process.

The Panel, however, did not provide the number of enforced disappearance claims currently before it in its latest update.

Panel Says 680 Claims Have Been Compensated

The Panel said it has so far processed 680 legitimate claims under various categories of harm, with a total of Ksh 896.1 million disbursed in compensation.

The amount includes Ksh 448.7 million paid during the initial phase, Ksh 225.4 million during the second phase, and Ksh 247.95 million during the third phase.

Also Read: Govt Issues Second Phase Update as Protest Victim Compensation Hits Ksh 674 Million

The Panel also said that 472 claims initially submitted to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) remain outstanding due to insufficient supporting documentation.

It said it is working with IPOA regional offices to locate affected victims and their beneficiaries and obtain the required documents to facilitate the processing of the claims.

The Panel also stated that it continues to receive direct claims at its offices at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC) and through other channels.

It said every claim is subjected to scrutiny before being approved, referred for further investigation or declared ineligible under the Reparations Guidelines 2026.

Panel Gives Update on Other Compensation Claims

The government also provided an update on claims arising from sexual offences, economic losses and injuries suffered by uniformed officers.

Nine claims have been lodged under the sexual offences category, with eight already processed and compensated while one remains pending.

For economic losses, the Panel said it had received 600 claims. Only four had been fully processed and compensated, while the remaining 594 were still being assessed for eligibility.

Also Read: After the Bullets, the Cheques; or, Compensation Offered Where Justice Is Withheld

The Panel also approved 49 claims involving uniformed officers who suffered human rights violations during the period under review.

The claims include seven cases involving severe injuries, 37 involving moderate injuries and five involving minor injuries. The total compensation for the 49 claims stands at Ksh 25.75 million.

The Panel further said it had reviewed three claims initially classified as minor injuries and reclassified them as severe, resulting in additional compensation.

It also approved above-scale compensation for five claims after determining that the victims had suffered permanent, grave and life-altering injuries.

The Panel said it would recommend to the President that the five victims be included in a government-funded lifetime medical scheme.

Govt to Publish List of Compensation Beneficiaries

The Panel said it will periodically publish a list of compensated beneficiaries in the Kenya Gazette as part of its commitment to transparency and public accountability.

It said any publication will comply with the Data Protection Act while protecting the dignity and privacy of beneficiaries.

In the latest Phase III compensation round, the Panel said 175 victims were compensated, receiving a combined Ksh 222 million.

The beneficiaries included 50 victims of fatalities who received Ksh 3 million each, 46 victims with severe injuries who received Ksh1 million each, 49 victims with moderate injuries who received Ksh 500,000 each and 21 victims with minor injuries who received Ksh 50,000 each.

Nine claims under economic loss were also included in the phase.

The Panel urged victims who have not yet submitted their claims to do so without delay, saying the compensation programme will continue on a rolling basis until every eligible victim is compensated.

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