President Ruto announces plan to compensate victims of protests since 2017

President William Ruto has announced a new government framework to compensate civilians and security personnel who suffered injuries or lost their lives during demonstrations and public protests in Kenya since 2017.

In a presidential proclamation issued on Friday, Ruto said the initiative aims to balance constitutional freedoms with civic responsibility, while addressing the human and economic costs of political unrest.

“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 statement read.

The statement noted that the 120-day programme will be coordinated by the Executive Office of the President in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Treasury, and other relevant state agencies.

President Ruto named Prof. Makau Mutua, Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, as the principal coordinator of the special compensation exercise.

The framework will develop mechanisms for accountability, redress, and reparations for victims, including police officers injured in the line of duty during public unrest.

Compensation of victims of protests as well as preserving the right to peaceful assembly was among the 10-point agenda agreed upon by President Ruto and Raila Odinga in the formation of the broad-based government. 

While the proclamation outlines the administrative structure, details on the criteria for identifying victims, the size of compensation, and the funding model remain undisclosed.