Professor Makau Mutua, the senior advisor to President William Ruto on constitutional affairs and human rights, has accused opposition leaders of politicizing and obstructing efforts to compensate victims of protests in Kenya. He criticized their "hypocritical, and empty rhetoric," emphasizing that victims' grief is not a political football.

• A new Panel of Experts, chaired by Professor Makau Mutua, was established by the government on August 25 to identify, verify, and compensate protest victims since 2017 within 120 days.
• The panel includes prominent figures such as Faith Odhiambo, the president of the Law Society of Kenya, and Irungu Houghton from Amnesty International Kenya.
• The compensation process faces "endless" petitions, with one lawyer filing a High Court suit seeking to block the framework, prompting questions about the process from politicians.

President William Ruto faces a significant legal challenge as four activists, led by Dr. Magare Gikenyi, have filed a petition contesting his recent appointment of an expert panel to oversee compensation for protest victims.

• The petition argues that President Ruto's appointments contravene Article 134 and Article 132(4) of Kenya's Constitution, claiming he lacks the power to establish such a panel.
• The petitioners assert that the panel's appointment through "imaginary mirage powers" is unconstitutional and a duplication of existing institutional duties.
• The challenge comes just two days after Ruto appointed an 18-member team to facilitate compensation for victims of protests dating back to 2017.

The High Court in Nairobi has temporarily blocked President William Ruto's plan to construct a permanent church within State House grounds.

• A conservatory order, issued by Justice Chacha Mwita, "restrains the government...from constructing a permanent church or building associated with any religious faith" until November 18, 2025.
• The petition, brought by Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Katiba Institute, raises fundamental constitutional questions regarding State and religion.
• The ruling comes eight weeks after Ruto announced his intention to build a large-capacity church at State House, which he defended as an improvement on an existing temporary structure.