Kenya’s says it is committed to justice, accountability and reparation for victims of protest-related violence.

Prof Makau Mutua, Chairperson of National Dialogue Panel, announced the commitment to justice on Thursday during the swearing-in of a tribunal appointed by President William Ruto to look into the reparations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The inauguration of the tribunal, Prof Mutua said, is intended to entrench constitutional rights and promote national healing.

Mutua, while acknowledging the support of leaders and institutions that made the initiative possible, commended Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Boyani Mokaya for her dedication and applauded President Ruto, for what he described as a bold and unprecedented step in shaping Kenya’s history.

He also recognised Chief Justice Martha Koome, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, cabinet secretaries, head of the public service, and constitutional commissions for their contributions.

Mutua pointed out that history is written by those who live it, reminding attendees that the people of Kenya are at the heart of the process. He reiterated that protests and demonstrations should not be equated with violence or destruction but should be seen as legitimate expressions of citizens’ voices.

Drawing comparisons with other democracies, he said that peaceful protests strengthen nations and called on Kenya to embrace the spirit by respecting rights and fostering harmony between government and citizens.

Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya described the day as “historic for the country” and congratulated stakeholders for their dedication.

She affirmed that her appointment symbolises the centrality of human rights and constitutional accountability in nation-building. Mokaya recalled that 15 years ago, Kenyans celebrated a constitutional milestone that demonstrated history as a living chapter.

Today, she said, the constitution remains alive, progressive and responsive to the needs of the people. She stressed that overseeing compensation is not symbolic, but a binding obligation.

While acknowledging that no amount of money can restore lives lost during protests, she emphasised that the process honours victims’ memory and recognizes families’ pain.

The chief registrar commended the expertise represented in the process and assured the public that justice would be pursued with diligence, fairness, and integrity. Beyond compensation, she called for legislative and institutional reforms to address the root causes of unrest and called for strengthening of Article 37 and related rights to guarantee lasting solutions.

Faith Odhiambo, president of the Law Society of Kenya, called for justice for victims. Ms Odhiambo noted that Kenyans have endured years of pain from human rights violations and an ineffective justice system.

Drawing from her encounters with grieving families, she said the stories of despair question whether a nation can truly claim to have a conscience if it abandons its own citizens.

The LSK president stressed that forgotten victims should no longer define Kenya. Referring to stalled cases such as that of Baby Pendo and the delayed inquiry into Rex Maasai’s demise, she observed that slow and unreliable processes deny families the justice they deserve.

Odhiambo said that LSK, under her leadership, would stand with victims to ensure their voices are not silenced. She proposed a victim-led, accountability-centred approach that includes memorialising victims, documenting unreported cases, recommending prosecutions and pushing for legislative reforms. Such measures, she said, are crucial to transforming Kenya’s justice system into one that upholds fairness and dignity.

Odhiambo reminded the nation that Kenya does not belong to politicians or the privileged few but to its people. Inspired by the Constitution, she called for unity in ensuring that justice remains the nation’s shield and defender.

• Tell Media / KNA report / By Wendy Sheilla and Lucy Mwende