Kalonzo: Protest victim compensation without justice is pointless

Speaking at an event in Kajiado on Sunday, Kalonzo said the opposition has launched a People’s Restorative Justice initiative to bring the issue to light and push for accountability before discussions on financial compensation can take place.

“Last year’s protests led to many deaths of our youth, and that is why as the opposition, we decided to set up the People’s Restorative Justice because these issues have to be brought to the surface and discussed before even issues of compensation have to be dealt with. Compensation without justice is pointless,” he said.

Kalonzo added that development cannot be achieved without justice, insisting that reforms must address the root causes of unrest.

“You cannot have development without justice, and we are not just saying this for the sake of it. We are determined that this country changes,” he said.

The opposition has been demanding accountability for the deaths and injuries of youthful demonstrators during last year's protests against the later-withdrawn 2024 Finance Bill and government wastage and corruption, during which security agencies were heavily criticised for using excessive force.

President William Ruto has since established a national framework for compensating victims of public protests and riots, which comprises an 18-member panel chaired by his adviser on constitutional affairs and human rights, Prof Makau Mutua.

That plan has, however, faced legal challenges; the High Court in Kerugoya temporarily suspended the implementation of the compensation framework, following a petition that questioned its legitimacy and procedures.