Fifteen bodies linked to the River Yala killings were buried without being claimed by relatives after investigations and DNA analysis failed to establish matches with their families, according to Professor Makau Mutua.
Mutua said 25 bodies had been investigated, with DNA samples collected and analysed as part of efforts to establish the identities of the victims.
He disclosed that the process had so far resulted in matches with 10 families, while the remaining 15 bodies were buried unclaimed.
The chairperson of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations said the panel had turned to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for support when it was assigned the responsibility of addressing issues surrounding the victims.
He said IPOA had previously handled aspects of the River Yala matter, adding that the panel had relied on the authority’s support to undertake its mandate.
Mutua said the panel had scrutinised available reports to understand the backgrounds of the victims and had also interacted with some of the affected families.
However, he said the panel would not disclose details of the victims or the circumstances surrounding their deaths at this stage, noting that little was currently known about what happened.
He asked members of the public to be patient, promising that the panel would return with a comprehensive report in the coming weeks.
Mutua also appealed to anyone with information about the River Yala killings to come forward and assist the panel in establishing the facts and supporting its work.
He said the panel was committed to responding to the victims and their families, while ensuring that information released to the public does not compromise their identities.
