NAKURU, Kenya – The High Court in Nakuru has summoned Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to appear in person on May 26 to explain the government’s prolonged failure to compensate more than 75,000 victims of the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
The victims, officially recognised as Integrated Internally Displaced Persons (IIDPs), have waited over 15 years for reparations, despite a 2017 court order that allocated Sh6.5 billion for their compensation.
Justice Hedwig Ong’udi issued the summons on Wednesday, expressing frustration with the State’s continued delays and what she described as “broken promises” to the victims.
“For the sake of clarity, I hereby summon the PS Interior to appear in person,” ruled Justice Ong’udi.
The court also wants Omollo to clarify the current status of the Sh6.5 billion that was earmarked for the victims.
The funds were frozen in 2017 following disputes over who constituted the legitimate beneficiaries, prompting a three-year verification process.
In that time, the court recognised Joakim Mwangi, John Mwaniki, and Teresia Muiruri as the official leaders of the IIDPs’ representative body.
A settlement proposal was later submitted and negotiations had nearly concluded — until the Attorney General (AG) failed to sign the final consent.
According to court records, the government had agreed to an out-of-court settlement, but the process stalled in 2022 after the Solicitor General returned the consent file without providing further instructions.
State Counsel Sonia Wanjeri confirmed to the court that no guidance had been issued since then, leaving the matter in limbo.
AG Accused of Stalling
Lawyers representing the victims have accused the Attorney General of stalling the process through silence and inaction.
“Negotiations had significantly progressed, only for the AG to stall the process. The AG, an officer of the court, has wasted our time with false promises since 2017,” said advocate David Mongeri.
His sentiments were echoed by advocate Ndubi Bosibori, who urged the court to compel the AG to issue a formal response — even if it was a rejection.
“We need communication from the AG. This money was specifically set aside for this matter,” Bosibori told the court.
Funds Already Used?
The victims’ hopes dimmed further in April 2023 when the court was informed that no further progress had been made.
On February 1, 2024, Mongeri disclosed that all parties had signed the consent — except the AG.
Later, Bosibori revealed that the Sh6.5 billion had already been spent, and that any future compensation would now depend on allocations in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Victims Still Waiting
Many of the affected individuals — survivors of some of Kenya’s darkest political violence — say they have been left to fend for themselves without support or recognition.
Speaking to the media after a previous court ruling, members of the IIDP group called on the government to fast-track the payouts and ensure no eligible victim is left out.
The case is scheduled to be mentioned again on May 26, the same day PS Omollo is expected to appear before the court.
