Compensating Protest Victims
President William Ruto has unveiled a new 120-day government program aimed at compensating civilians and security officers who were injured or lost their lives during protests and demonstrations in Kenya since 2017.
Making the announcement on Friday, President Ruto said the move is intended to uphold the constitutional right to protest while ensuring public safety and accountability. He noted that while demonstrations are a legitimate part of democracy, some have unfortunately turned violent, leaving a trail of injuries, deaths, and economic damage.
“The Constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate and picket, but some protests have regrettably turned violent, resulting in bodily harm and loss of life,” the President said in his statement.
The compensation initiative will be run by the Executive Office of the President in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Treasury, and other key state agencies. The goal is to establish a fair system for identifying victims, processing claims, and offering financial redress.
Prof. Makau Mutua, who serves as the Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, has been appointed to lead the program. He will oversee the creation of structures for accountability, justice, and reparations — covering both members of the public and police officers injured while on duty during unrest.
This initiative stems from the 10-point agreement between President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, which called for protecting the right to peaceful assembly while addressing the suffering caused by violent protests.
Although the government has laid out the administrative framework, details such as the criteria for identifying beneficiaries, the exact compensation amounts, and the funding source are yet to be made public. The coming weeks will see the rollout of guidelines and public awareness campaigns to inform affected families on how to apply.
President Ruto stressed that this is not only about financial payouts but also about restoring dignity to victims and building trust between citizens and the state. By addressing the consequences of political unrest, the government hopes to promote a more peaceful and responsible culture of public demonstrations in the future.
Compensating Protest Victims
