What was destroyed during Saba Saba protests
Protests took place in different parts of country on July 7
15d agoWILLIAM WANYOIKEInfographics
President William Samoei Ruto has
announced the establishment of a national framework to coordinate compensation
for victims of demonstrations and public protests held since 2017.
The initiative, unveiled through a
presidential proclamation issued on August 8, 2025, will provide reparations
for civilians and security personnel who suffered bodily harm or lost their
lives during protests and riots.
“I, William Smoei Ruto, President
and Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces in exercise of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby establish a coordinating framework
for compensation of victims of protests and riots, which shall be vested under
the Executive Office of the President,” Ruto said in the proclamation.
The new framework will operate under
the Executive Office of the President and will be implemented in collaboration
with the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Interior and National
Administration, the National Treasury, and other relevant government agencies.
“There is compelling national
interest in establishing a framework for accountability, redress and
reparations for victims of demonstrations and public protests,” Ruto said.
He emphasised the importance of
balancing constitutionally protected freedoms with civic responsibility and
public safety.
To lead the initiative, President
Ruto has designated Makau Mutua, Senior Advisor on Constitutional
Affairs and Human Rights, as the Principal Coordinator of the State
Intervention and Compensation Framework.
The team will operate under a
120-day tenure from the date of the proclamation.
Since the promulgation of the
Constitution in 2010, the country has experienced an expansion in democratic
space, allowing citizens the freedom to express dissent through demonstrations
and picketing.
However, Ruto noted that some of
these events have “regrettably turned violent,” leading to loss of life and
injury.
The move comes in the wake of
nationwide calls for justice and accountability following recent protests that
saw fatalities, injuries and allegations of excessive use of force.
While the proclamation does not specify the compensation mechanisms or the number of victims to be covered, it signals a shift towards institutionalising reparative justice for affected individuals and families.
