Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhaimbo has defended accepting an appointment as Vice Chairperson of panel of experts who will assist in facilitating compensation to victims of riots and protests.
President William Ruto had on August 26, 2025, by gazette notice, appointed Odhiambo to the panel. Her appointment raised hot debate with many Kenyans questioning whether she would compromise her fight for justice in light of human rights abuses during protests.
Her acceptance contrasts with her stance in 2024, when she rejected President Ruto’s appointment to an independent task force mandated to audit the country’s public debt.
There had been widespread speculation that she would refuse the position, with the concern that assuming the position would amount to betrayal. However, during the swearing-in for the panel on Thursday, Odhiambo dismissed the doubts.
“As I take up this responsibility, let it be known that I have in no way betrayed your trust. Let it be clear that access to criminal justice remains critical to me in our quest to promote and protect the rule of law as an essential element in the enjoyment of the fundamental human rights and freedoms,” she affirmed.
Odhiambo promised Kenyans that she would not let them down and vowed that the bloodshed during past protests would not be in vain. She pledged to keep the public updated on the progress of the victims’ cases and emphasized that her work on the panel would not undermine Kenya’s democratic gains.
She also expressed solidarity with victims’ families, assuring them that justice would be delivered.
“The Panel of Experts that I join today bears both the duty and opportunity to spearhead a revolutionary shift in victim reparations,” she said. “Never again shall Kenyans be killed by trigger-hungry officers for exercising their constitutional rights on the streets.”
Odhiambo added that her duty is to serve the victims and the ordinary mwananchi by ensuring fair compensation and justice.
Prof. Makau Mutua Leads 18-Member Panel
The newly formed 18-member committee will handle compensation for victims of demonstrations dating back to 2017. Chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua, President Ruto’s senior advisor on constitutional affairs and human rights, the panel will implement Ruto’s August 8 proclamation establishing a framework for compensating victims of protests.
Other members of the committee include Kennedy N. Ogeto, Irungu Houghton, John Olukuru, Rev. Kennedy Barasa Simiyu, Linda Musumba, Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.
Richard Barno will serve as Technical Lead, Duncan A. Okelo Ndeda as Co-Technical Lead, while Jerusah Mwaathime Michael and Raphael Ng’etich will act as Joint Secretaries.
Speaking during the swearing-in, Prof. Mutua said the panel would work to design a framework that promotes peaceful protests in Kenya.
“We want to start writing a new chapter so that we can establish peaceful protests. We know that violence has taken the lives of civilians, a majority who did nothing wrong,” he said.
“A number of our law enforcement people also suffered; they are also our citizens. This is a national process to transform our political and human rights culture.”
