Human Rights Advocate Accepts Ruto’s Appointment Despite Past Criticism

Irungu Hougton, a leading human rights and social justice advocate, has accepted President William Ruto’s appointment to the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests.
Through a statement released by Amnesty Kenya Board Chairperson Stellah Bosire, the group welcomed the appointment of Houghton, who serves as the Amnesty Kenya Executive Director and Spokesperson.
“Amnesty International Kenya welcomes the appointment of IrunguHoughton to the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests,” Amnesty noted.
In the statement released on Tuesday, August 26, Amnesty urged the task force to deliver a comprehensive reparations package. Key amongst their demands were substantial financial compensation, truth-telling, memorials, legal reforms, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition.
Houghton’s appointment comesdespite his past criticism of the government and Ruto,particularly pointing an accusing finger at the Executive for sanctioning police brutality prominent during protests.
Through Amnesty, Houghton constantly voiced his criticism of police brutality and human rights violations by the government.
In the past, critics of the President have been observed to shift alliances and become pro-government once they receive appointments to the government.
In accepting Ruto’s appointment,a similar pattern could perhaps be drawn.
However, Amnesty maintained that Houghton’s role in the panel would only be limited to an advisory role.
It added that he would still conduct his advocacy duties at the human rights organisation and focus on achieving maximum compensation for the protest victims.
“Irũngũ Houghton joins the Panel in an advisory role in his personal capacity. His appointment will not limit his responsibility to lead Amnesty’s advocacy, litigation, and pursuit of command responsibility for the abuses that have occurred. He will remain bound by the paramount interests of the victims’ families and their demand for judicial redress,” noted Amnesty.
Houghton is set to be a part of a 15-member panelchaired by Ruto’s Senior Advisor on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Makau Mutua, with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo Mony serving as vice-chairperson. Ruto had revealed the appointment through a gazette notice.
Other members include Kennedy N. Ogeto (Former Solicitor General), Dr Duncan Ojwang’(who recently rejected Ruto’s appointmentas Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR)), Naini Lankas, Dr Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Fatuma Kinsi Abass, and Raphael Anampiu.
The technical team will be led by Richard Barno, supported by Dr Duncan Okelo Ndeda as Co-Technical Lead, while Jerusah Mwaathime Michael and Dr Raphael Ng’etich will serve as joint secretaries.
According to the notice, the Panel’s mandate will include designing an operational framework to verify and categorise victims, authenticating data from authoritative institutions such as IPOA, KNCHR, and the Ministry of Health, and recommending appropriate reparations.
The team is set to submit a comprehensive report to the President after 120 days, with funding for the panel and compensation scheme set to be provided in line with the Public Finance Management Act and other applicable laws, using auditable payment channels.