Amnesty International Kenya has welcomed the release of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Framework for Reparations for Victims of Human Rights Violations, calling it a key move toward tackling abuses tied to demonstrations, public protests and other violations.
In its statement, Amnesty International Kenya said the framework represents a major milestone in the pursuit of truth, justice, accountability and reparations for people affected by human rights violations.
The group said victims of unlawful killings, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and arbitrary arrests have endured the consequences of those harms for years without recognition or remedies from the State. It said the KNCHR framework offers a chance to confront those injustices through a victim-centred and rights-based programme.
Amnesty International Kenya said it was encouraged that several recommendations from its April 2026 submission were reflected in the framework.
It observed that the framework treats reparations as a standalone right that should not be conditional on the conclusion of criminal, disciplinary or civil proceedings.
The organisation also welcomed the recommendation for a formal public apology, saying it should recognise State responsibility and the suffering endured by victims, while being paired with measures to prevent similar abuses in future.
It further commended provisions that enhance victim participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of reparations programmes, saying victims should be acknowledged as rights-holders.
The organisation also backed calls to review and discontinue criminal proceedings against human rights defenders and protesters facing terrorism-related charges for actions connected to the exercise of constitutional rights under Article 37.
Amnesty International Kenya said recognising memorialisation as part of reparations is important in preventing denial and the recurrence of violations.
It also welcomed recommendations on missing persons and enforced disappearances, including proposals for national legislation and ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
According to the organisation, the framework’s use of a low evidentiary threshold could improve access for victims who struggle to obtain official documentation.
It added that minimum compensation awards across categories of violations would establish a baseline while still allowing individual circumstances and the severity of harm to be considered.
While welcoming the framework, Amnesty International Kenya said its implementation would be central to its success. The organisation argued that reparations alone cannot deliver justice and said accountability for police and security agencies remains a major concern.
“Kenya has seen more than 200 deaths during demonstrations between 2024 and 2026, yet only a small number of cases have reached the courts. Victims and families deserve more than financial redress; they deserve truth, accountability and justice,” said George Morara, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya.
The organisation urged the Government of Kenya to establish a Reparations Fund, enact comprehensive legislation, adopt a National Reparations Policy and set aside resources to ensure timely and effective redress for victims.
Morara said the publication of the framework was an important recognition of victims’ rights, but stressed that compensation alone cannot undo the effects of serious violations.
“Reparations must move forward alongside urgent efforts to investigate, prosecute and hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring such violations never happen again,” he said.