Kenya: Compensation Panel Challenges Man Over Ksh100,000 Bribery Allegation

What the report says

Kenya’s Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations says it is disputing bribery claims made against its officials and has described several of the accusations as withdrawn or false. According to the panel’s statement, Chairperson Professor Makau Mutua said an internal review found that Margaret Onyango Okitch retracted her allegation that an IPOA officer demanded KSh150,000 to process a fatality compensation claim. The panel also said Stellamaries Nthenya withdrew her claim that a staff member sought KSh1,200 to notarize an affidavit.

The dispute centers on complaints connected to the compensation process being handled at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi. Mutua said the panel does not charge fees for its services and warned victims about people it described as fraudsters, imposters and brokers who may try to collect money by promising to speed up compensation. He also said the panel had raised concerns about misinformation circulating in victims’ groups.

The panel further challenged Fredrick Ojiro, who allegedly claimed a panel member accepted a KSh100,000 bribe, to take the matter to the proper authorities or publicly present evidence. The panel said it has processed 236 fatality claims as it works through delays and reported irregularities. In general, compensation bodies handling human rights cases can become targets for fraud accusations and public distrust, making transparency and verification important for affected claimants.