Kenya LSK President Faith Odhiambo Resigns From Stalled Protest Victims Compensation Panel

Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), has resigned as vice chairperson of the government’s Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests due to court-ordered suspension of the panel's mandate. The panel, established by President William Ruto to develop a framework for compensating victims of police brutality during protests, was unable to complete its 120-day assignment as the courts halted its operations. Odhiambo expressed frustration over the delays and inability to meet key deadlines, noting that victims continue to seek justice amidst the stalled process. Despite stepping down, she reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for victims' rights through her leadership at the LSK, aiming to pursue justice reforms, strengthen victim reparations laws, and shift focus towards a victim-centered approach. She emphasized the importance of unity among rule of law institutions during this critical moment for Kenya’s democracy and pledged to continue working on behalf of victims outside the panel framework. The resignation highlights challenges in addressing police excesses and the need for legislative and institutional reforms to ensure effective compensation and protection for victims of state violence.