KENYA: LSK President Faith Odhiambo Resigns From State Panel On Victims’ Compensation

By Lapit Moses Punyuah, Nairobi, Kenya

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Mony Odhiambo, has resigned as the Vice-Chairperson of the Panel on Victims’ Compensation, citing delays and court injunctions that have crippled the panel’s operations.

In a statement released on Monday, Odhiambo said the legal challenges had made it impossible to deliver within the 120-day timeframe the team was given to design a framework for compensating victims of police brutality.

“It is not feasible to achieve the time-sensitive milestones I undertook to achieve within the 120 days,” Odhiambo said, adding that she had tendered her resignation to the President through the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service.

She expressed disappointment that court orders had effectively halted the panel’s work, preventing it from fulfilling its mandate to identify victims, verify claims, and recommend reparations.

“I will, however, continue advocating for justice and accountability for victims through the Law Society of Kenya and other available forums,” she affirmed.

Odhiambo further called for the institutionalisation of a permanent victims’ compensation framework, arguing that justice for victims must be treated with the same seriousness as punishment for offenders.

Her resignation comes amid mounting pressure on the government to provide accountability and reparations for victims of police violence following nationwide anti-government protests earlier this year.