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Tag: Protest victims

  • KNHCR urged to extend deadline for compensation of protest victims

    KNHCR urged to extend deadline for compensation of protest victims

    Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has been urged to extend the deadline for victims of human rights violations to submit documents for verification, which expires today.

    Early last month, the Head of State, through a Gazette Notice, directed KNCHR to submit a report containing the Reparations Framework within 60 days.

    The Commission has already developed the framework and is finalising a list of human rights violation cases, currently undergoing verification before submission to the Head of State.

    So far, the Commission has compiled a list of 1,244 victims. The list, now under verification, includes victims of extrajudicial killings, torture, abductions and enforced disappearances, evictions, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as loss of property and livelihoods.

    Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights (CCSNHR) Chairman Zedekiah Adika said the time allocated to compile the list is too short, noting it covers victims from the 2017 post-election violence to date.

  • President Ruto establishes coordinating framework for compensation of protest victims

    President Ruto establishes coordinating framework for compensation of protest victims

    President William Ruto has issued a presidential proclamation establishing a framework for the compensation of victims of demonstrations and public protests that have occurred since 2017.

    In a statement sent Friday morning, President Ruto acknowledged the unfortunate instances of violence, bodily harm, and loss of life during some protests. 

    “WHEREAS, Since the promulgation of the Constitution in 2010, the expanded democratic space has afforded Kenyans from all walks of life the liberty to express themselves through demonstrations and picketing, some of which regrettably have turned violent, resulting in bodily harm and loss of life.” He noted.

    The newly formed coordinating framework will be situated under the Executive Office of the President and will operate in collaboration with key government bodies including the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Interior & National Administration, and The National Treasury.

    “Now therefore, I William Samoei 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.” The President proclaimed.

    In a significant appointment, President Ruto has designated Prof. Makua Mutua, a Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, as the Principal Co-ordinator of this state intervention and compensation framework.

    Prof. Mutua will be tasked with overseeing the implementation and operations of the initiative with the tenure running for 120 days from Friday 8th August 2025.

    Adding that: “The Executive Office of the President shall discharge this mandate in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Interior & National Administration, The National Treasury and all the other relevant State agencies; Designate Prof. Makua Mutua, Senior Advisor, Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, as the Principal Co-ordinator of this State intervention and compensation framework; and the tenure of this special co-ordination framework shall be 120 days from the date hereof.”

     

  • Government to meet families of protest victims – Murkomen

    Government to meet families of protest victims – Murkomen

    The government is ready to meet and hold talks with the families of protest victims, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

    Speaking at State House during a breakfast with FKF Premier League champions, Kenya Police FC, Murkomen stated that the government had opened the door for dialogue and was prepared to extend a supporting hand to the affected families.

    “In the Ministry, and from a human perspective, we are ready to meet the families of the victims who unfortunately lost their lives as a result of these political acts. We are open to having a conversation with them and exploring ways we can offer further support,” said the CS.

    He also called on politicians and activists who are preventing the victims’ families from engaging with the government to step aside and allow dialogue to proceed.

    “I want to ask those political actors to keep off and allow the families to meet us and have a conversation, so we can explore how best to support them,” he said.

    The CS also took the opportunity to call out politicians planning political violence in the guise of peaceful demonstrations.

    “It is unfortunate that some leaders who, just around this time last year, were standing here defending law and order are today orchestrating violence and distributing crude weapons,” said the CS.

    He warned that the government will take stern action against such political leaders.

    “We will be ruthless in dealing with such characters because we want this country to remain a nation of law and order.”

    The breakfast ceremony extended to Kenya Police FC, which was led by President William Ruto and attended by Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports CS Salim Mvurya. Mining and Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho, Interior Security and National Administration PS Raymond Omolo, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Police FC and Police Bullets teams, among other sports stakeholders, were also present.

    The Police FC and Police Bullets FC emerged the champions in the FKF Men’s Premier League and Women’s Premier League 2024/25 season, respectively.