HOMA BAY, Kenya- Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged President William Ruto’s government to compensate families whose loved ones were either killed or injured during the deadly 2024 anti-tax protests led by Gen Z, saying true national healing can only begin with justice.
Speaking during Madaraka Day Celebrations at the stadium named after him in Homa Bay, Odinga said the government’s apology, offered during last week’s National Prayer Breakfast, was a welcome start but not enough.
“It is wonderful as a first step to reconciliation,” Odinga said. “But there are people who were injured and others died. We must compensate the families for us to close this dark chapter of our history.”
At least 60 youth were killed during the nationwide demonstrations. Many others were abducted, tortured, and some forcibly disappeared, according to human rights reports — with no resolution or accountability months later.
.@RailaOdinga roots for compensation of victims and families that lost loved ones during #RejectFinanceBill2024 anti-tax protests to help national healing.
The opposition leader said the burden of pain carried by affected families cannot be erased by words alone, and that financial compensation and government accountability are critical for restoring trust among Kenya’s disillusioned youth.
“We want Kenyans to live in peace and unity,” he said. “That’s how we’ve made progress since independence — through unity.”
President Ruto, whose administration has faced intense criticism over the violent police crackdown on protestors, addressed the youth during his Madaraka Day speech, expressing remorse.
“To our children, if there is any misstep, we apologise,” Ruto said. “We want to build a relationship that will make our country great.”
But for many, apologies ring hollow without action.
The Madaraka Day remarks come at a crucial time when public trust in state institutions is fragile and memories of the protests — marked by brutality, grief, and resistance — are still raw.
Odinga’s call places fresh pressure on the Kenya Kwanza government to not only acknowledge the lives lost but to ensure they did not die in vain.
