President William Ruto has today formed a team to establish a framework for compensating victims of protests and riots.
Prof Makau Mutua, Senior Adviser on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, will serve as the team's principal coordinator.
Based at the Executive Office of the President, the team will serve for four months (120 days) starting today. "The Executive Office of the President shall discharge this mandate in collaboration with the office of the Attorney General, the Interior Ministry, and National Treasury, and all other relevant state agencies," Ruto said in a presidential directive. While noting that Kenya's 2010 Constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate and picket, Ruto said several protests since June 2024 have led to deaths and injuries among civilians. "There is compelling national interest in establishing a framework for accountability, redress and reparations for victims of demonstrations and public protests, including civilians and security personnel who lost their lives or suffered bodily harm during protests since 2017," he said.
His administration has faced criticism over what critics term a lack of urgency in compensating victims and supporting families affected by last year's protests.
