Families of Gen Z protest victims reject Ksh.3M compensation proposal
In media reports today, with just four days to the deadline set by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) for public submissions on the proposed reparations framework, victims and affected families have rejected the current proposals.
According to the proposed framework, the commission has suggested Ksh.3 million compensation for deaths and Ksh.2 million for disappearances.
However, victims are demanding Ksh.5 million for those killed or who disappeared, Ksh.4 million for survivors of sexual violence, Ksh.3 million for those who disappeared and were later found, Ksh.3 million for victims left with permanent disabilities, and Ksh.250,000 for victims of unlawful arrest and detention.
“We demand the establishment of a clear, minimum tax-exempt compensation… five million shillings for loss of life and disappearance…” the victim’s father, George Obienge.
Beyond compensation, they are also demanding accountability and reforms. They want President Ruto to publicly acknowledge the violations and commit to ensuring such incidents do not happen again.
“The President must publicly acknowledge what happened in 2024 and 2025…” said Obienge.
George Obienge, whose child was among the victims, called for reforms in policing during protests.
“Police should provide security to protestors and only shoot when their life is in danger or arrest the perpetrators,” he said.
The victims have also raised concerns over what they termed as a rushed process, urging KNCHR to extend the timeline by at least 90 days and clearly outline the stages of registration, verification, validation and payment.
They warn that the current pace could lock out many victims.
“We are deeply concerned that this process is being rushed for political reasons…” activist Shakira Wafula said.
Gillian Odawa, the mother of Rex Masai added, “KNCHR must extend the current deadline by at least another 90 days.”
Kenyans have until April 27 to submit their views on the proposed reparations framework.
Two big issues that have to be resolved and I am sure KNCHR will work with the victims and the government to come to an agreeable solution.
One issue is the amount to be paid and it is pretty clear the victims are not accepting the proposed amounts. There is a very good chance that this matter will be resolved between all the parties involved because that is what is in the best interests of the families and victims involved as well as for President William Ruto himself.
Extending the deadline of submissions for compensation for 90 more days is a brilliant and very logical proposal for the victims. The whole process cannot just be rushed up to satisfy time limits arbitrarily set by the government.
The best way to get all these issues raised by the survivors resorted is to first agree on the mounts to be paid to the victims. Once that is agreed the payments to the victims should start right away.
Then if there is an agreement to extend the time for submissions, put that in place and let other Kenyan human rights organizations assist the victims to submit their applications for compensation.
Kenyans from all walks all life from human rights activists, families of victims of state violence and the average person out there we need to ask our government to work with the KNCHR to extend the time limit for compensation process because it is very hard for the victims who need hospital records, arrest or shooting proof among so many other things that only the state has a hand on.
The 90-day time extension requested by victims and families is a reasonable way to reconcile the process and make it proceed in the right way for the victims and even for President William Ruto.
It is a very fair process to extend the time limit while those who have completed their submissions get their compensation in a fairly agreed amount for all parties.
This has been a very cruel experience for many Kenyans.
Solutions are going to be tough to reach but there are no alternatives.
Adongo Ogony is a Human Rights Activist and a Writer who lives in Toronto, Canada
