(NAIROBI, KENYA) – The plan by President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga to compensate victims of demonstrations has stirred concern about its implementation and underlying political motives.
Critics argue that the programme should be guided by established procedures for protecting victims rather than being introduced as part of a political agreement between Ruto and Odinga.
Political analyst John Okumu said the politics surrounding compensation result from pressure from Raila Odinga, who has led protests across the country.
“Odinga himself is among those who received compensation after joining the coalition government. Yet, this administration has oppressed young demonstrators demanding better leadership,” Okumu said.
Former UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala, now deputy leader of the Democratic Change Party, also opposed the compensation plan for demonstration victims.
“We need to understand the value of lives lost due to abuses carried out by the government. If a family is to be paid 10 million Kenyan Shillings (about 76,000 US Dollars) for losing a child in protests, are they prepared for their children to be killed to receive such compensation?” Malala asked.
“Show us the law that values human life and that which gives Ruto and Odinga the power to decide who qualifies as a demonstration victim. They want to exercise authority they do not have,” he added.
To facilitate the compensation process, Ruto appointed Professor Makau Mutua to lead the initiative for 120 days.
The committee led by Professor Makau will provide guidance on payments to families of those killed or injured in protests from 2017 to 2025. Individuals who lost property, particularly businesses, will also be compensated based on evidence presented.
However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua argued that victims of government abuses cannot be counted only from 2017 to 2025.
“We must compensate everyone who has been abused by the government fairly. This includes victims of the post-election violence in 2007/08 as well as those tortured during the fight for independence,” Gachagua said.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticised the scheme, calling it mockery from the government.
“You cannot lead a government that engages in abduction, arbitrary killings and torture, and then claim to compensate those you abused,” Musyoka said. He stressed that police officers who shot civilians and their commanders must face prosecution before any compensation is paid.
Jonah Kariuki, father of Boniface Mwangi, who was shot during Nairobi demonstrations on 16 July 2025, described the proposal as discriminatory.
“You cannot kill us and then come to our families saying you will pay us. What value does a human life have under these conditions? The government should listen to its citizens instead of killing them,” Kariuki said in an interview.
Simple Compensation
| Compensation Item | Amount (KES) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Family of deceased | 10,000,000 | 76,000 |
| Property/business loss | Based on evidence | Varies |
