Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton has resigned from President William Ruto’s Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests and Riots, citing a "material alteration of the legal basis" after the President extended the panel’s mandate despite a High Court ruling declaring it unconstitutional.

• Irungu Houghton resigned with immediate effect on Friday, following the President's January 5, 2026 extension of the panel's mandate by 180 days.
• The resignation comes after the Kerugoya High Court's December 4, 2025 ruling, which declared the panel unconstitutional and affirmed that compensation for human rights violations properly resides with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
• Houghton also disavowed an application filed on December 15, 2025, to stay the High Court's ruling, stating his name was included without his consent or consultation.