High Court Blocks Ruto’s Protest Compensation Plan
The court had suspended the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests.
The judge also restrained the respondents, their agents, or representatives from effecting the presidential proclamation of August 6, 2025. Photo/Citizen Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
The Kerugoya High Court suspended the execution of President William Ruto’s directive on compensating public protest and demonstration victims.
Justice. Kizito Magare granted conservatory orders in the matter. He stated that the application, which had been filed on September 5, 2025, was one of urgency and would be entitled to an inter partes hearing. The ruling means that the President’s move to put in place a framework for compensation will not proceed until the case is heard.
The court had suspended the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests. This panel was constituted by way of Gazette Notice No. 12002 dated 25th August 2025. Its role was to put in place a planned framework for reparations for victims of riots and demonstrations. Its activities are temporarily suspended for the meantime.
The judge also restrained the respondents, their agents, or representatives from effecting the presidential proclamation of August 6, 2025. The said proclamation had legally authorized the compensation of protest victims. Justice Magare made it clear that nothing should be acted upon under this directive until after the case has been totally heard by the court.
In his directions, Justice Magare directed the interested parties and respondents to be served forthwith. They are to submit their responses within seven days from service. Thereafter, the applicant shall have three working days on which to make their submissions in writing, but at the latest September 24.
The interested parties and the respondents will then be given a further three days within which to make their submissions. They are supposed to do so on September 30. The judge fixed October 6, 2025, as the date when the case will be mentioned before the High Court at Kerugoya. On that day, directions will be given.
This ruling puts on hold a scheme that was a matter of national controversy. The plan’s proponents argued that its victims of police brutality and illegality at protests were entitled to compensation. Opponents questioned the legality and practicability of the directive. The court’s intervention now has with it the possibility of having the arguments being heard under full court proceedings.
For the victims awaiting redress, the ruling is still pending. The final verdict will determine the fate of President Ruto’s compensation plan to either work or fail totally.
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