President William Ruto has appointed Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Chairperson Claris Awuor Ogangah as Vice Chairperson of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests.
Ogangah replaces Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, who resigned in October, citing delays and legal obstacles that hindered the panel’s work.
The appointment, published in Gazette Notice No. 15945 on Tuesday, revoked the previous appointment of Odhiambo made through Gazette Notice No. 12002 of August 25, 2025, with effect from November 4, 2025.
“IT IS notified for the general information of the public that, pursuant to Gazette Notice No. 12002 of 2025, His Excellency the President has appointed CLARIS AWUOR OGANGAH-ONYANGO as the Vice-Chairperson of the Panel of Experts with effect from the 4th November, 2025. The appointment of the Vice-Chairperson vide Gazette Notice No. 12002 of 25th August 2025 is revoked,” the notice reads.
The panel, established through an August 25 Kenya Gazette notice, was tasked with recommending compensation for victims of police brutality and violence during youth-led anti-government protests this year and last year, in which over 120 people were killed and hundreds more injured.
Initially, President Ruto appointed Odhiambo to deputise his constitutional advisor, Proffessor Makau Mutua, in the 15-member panel.
However, the LSK President, in a statement shared on Monday, October 6, said she had tendered her “formal and immediate resignation” to the Head of Public Service, citing the need to safeguard LSK’s independence and unity amid ongoing legal and constitutional challenges.
“The proposed mandate of the Panel presented an opportunity to overhaul the existing legal and institutional framework on victim reparations, which, as it stands, has proven inadequate in addressing public concerns over the historic crisis of police overreach and protestor victimisation during demonstrations,” Odhiambo said in her resignation letter.
Despite stepping down, Odhiambo reaffirmed her commitment to justice for victims of police excesses.
