Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya, has resigned from the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests with immediate effect, citing constitutional concerns following a High Court ruling declaring the panel illegal.
In a resignation letter dated January 9, 2026, Houghton said his decision followed the President’s move to extend the panel’s mandate by 180 days on January 5, 2026, despite a judgment delivered by the Kerugoya High Court on December 4, 2025.
The court ruled that the President lacked constitutional authority to establish a parallel body to verify, investigate, and compensate victims of protests, affirming that this mandate rests exclusively with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Houghton stated that the ruling fundamentally altered the legal basis and institutional legitimacy of the panel’s continued existence. He said remaining on the panel would risk normalising an arrangement that the court had expressly found to be unconstitutional and could undermine the central role assigned to KNCHR under the Constitution.
He further raised concerns about being listed as an appellant in a December 15, 2025, application seeking to stay the High Court ruling, saying this was done without his knowledge or consent.
Houghton noted that he had suspended his involvement in the panel in September 2025 to await the court’s determination and did not participate in the application challenging the judgment. He said the application was only communicated to panel members on January 8, 2026.
Additionally, Houghton distanced himself from the decision to appeal the decision, claiming that it went against his publicly expressed belief that the panel ought to abide by the court's decision in its entirety.
He reiterated that KNCHR is the constitutionally mandated body to advise the presidency on compensation for human rights violations arising from protests.
While expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to efforts aimed at truth, justice, and reparations for victims of state violence during public demonstrations, Houghton said fidelity to the Constitution, the rule of law, and institutional accountability must take precedence.
He warned that continued litigation could place additional obstacles in the path of victims and their families seeking compensation.
The High Court ruling has since reshaped the compensation framework, with the government converting the panel into a purely advisory body whose role is limited to advising the President based on reports prepared by KNCHR.
The panel’s term was extended to allow time for implementation of the new framework, even as the government pursues an appeal on broader legal questions.
