Kenya High Court orders Ksh105 million set aside for abduction victims

A Kenyan High Court judge has ordered the reservation of Ksh105 million from a compensation fund specifically for victims of torture, abductions, and enforced disappearances. Justice Gregory Mutai issued conservatory orders to prevent the implementation of a new authentication process used to verify beneficiaries under Presidential Proclamation No. 1 of 2026.

The ruling follows a petition filed by victims, including Gideon Kibet and Ronny Kiplangat, who argue that the government’s new verification framework is unconstitutional and discriminatory. The petitioners claim the process excludes victims whose claims had previously been verified by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR).

The court directed that the Ksh105 million be set aside to ensure victims covered by the petition are not disadvantaged while the legal dispute is resolved. While the specific verification process for these victims is halted, the court allowed the compensation process for other categories of beneficiaries to proceed once the funds are ring-fenced.