Nairobi, Kenya- A day after President William Ruto unveiled a framework to compensate victims of protests dating back to 2017, opposition leaders have cast doubt on the legality, impartiality, and sincerity of the initiative.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa argue that the compensation process should be overseen by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), not the Executive — which they say bears responsibility for the violence during past demonstrations.
“A Wolf Cannot Decide the Fate of Cows”
Kalonzo accused the government of attempting to control a process in which it is an implicated party.
“Through the shoot-to-kill and shoot-in-the-leg orders, can they be the ones responsible for redress and compensation of their own victims of police brutality? A wolf cannot decide the matters of cow crow. Fisi hawezi kusimamia kesi ya mbuzi,” he said.
Wamalwa echoed this sentiment, warning that victims could not trust a process led by a presidential appointee.
“The rule of natural justice demands impartiality. Victims cannot trust a process led by a presidential appointee whose loyalty is to the state — the same state that was the aggressor in the Azimio protests of 2023, the Gen Z protests of 2024, and the recent Saba Saba protests,” he said.
The leaders want an inclusive committee to determine eligibility, compensation amounts, and timelines — arguing the current framework lacks a legal foundation and budgetary clarity.
“You cannot wake up and say you will compensate Kenyans Ksh. 100,000. The amount must be punitive and include action against those who committed these atrocities,” Kalonzo said.
They are also calling for:
Immediate suspension of Prof. Makau Mutua’s role in the process pending a court ruling on his appointment.
Transfer of the process to KNCHR under Article 59 (1)(e) of the Constitution.
Public disclosure of the legal basis for creating what they term a “parallel compensation structure.”
Wamalwa accused the government of using the process as a political sweetener:
“The dangling of goodies has just started. Even this Prof. Mutua team is just one of the goodies to show they want to compensate the victims. They might not.”
Political Undercurrents
The renewed opposition criticism comes as President Ruto appears to be gaining an unlikely political boost from ODM leader Raila Odinga, who recently hinted at the possibility of backing Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
For now, the opposition says it will remain united in pushing for a victim-centered, legally anchored, and impartial compensation framework — setting the stage for yet another battle with State House.
