The government has compensated at least 1,000 victims of protest-related violence, with the compensation panel reporting that more than Sh1.4 billion has been spent from the Sh2 billion allocated for the exercise.
Speaking on Thursday, October 29, Panel of Experts chairperson Prof Makau Mutua said the compensation programme was part of efforts to acknowledge the suffering of victims and help affected families rebuild their lives.
Mutua, who met officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), thanked President William Ruto for establishing the panel.
“We were given Sh2 billion. We have used in excess of Sh1.4 billion in this process,” Mutua said.
He confirmed that police officers who were killed or injured during demonstrations had also received compensation.
Mutua called for legislation to clearly define the rights and responsibilities of protesters and security officers during demonstrations.
“We want to have a law that establishes the expectations of citizens and officers in public protests. After all, protesting is a right,” he said.
IPOA chairperson Duncan Ojwang said the authority had investigated approximately 90 per cent of the cases under review, with the investigations supported by forensic evidence and medical reports.
“We are working to ensure that the investigations are evidence-based,” Ojwang said.
He maintained that compensation was necessary because an apology alone could not adequately address the suffering experienced by victims and their families.
The compensation panel also visited families who lost loved ones during demonstrations, including the family of Rex Masai, who was fatally shot during the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi.
During the visit, Masai's father, Chrispine Odawa, welcomed the government's apology but insisted that financial compensation and expressions of regret could never replace his son.
“We’ve accepted the apology, but it cannot bring our son back to life. We would like to see a stop to such things in this country. Your presence here is appreciated,” Odawa said.
The visit highlighted the continuing demand for accountability over protest-related deaths, even as the government advances its compensation programme.
The panel maintains that the initiative is intended to provide relief to affected families while supporting national reconciliation.
However, the victims' families continue to demand measures to prevent further deaths and injuries during demonstrations.
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