Ruto Appoints Makua Mutua to Lead 120-Day Protest Victim Compensation Plan
President William Ruto has unveiled a 120-day state intervention to coordinate compensation for victims of protests and riots.
Makua Mutua to Lead the Initiative
On Thursday, the Head of State announced that Makua Mutua, his senior advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, will head the programme.
In his statement, Ruto said:
“I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, in exercise of the authority vested in me, do hereby establish a coordinating framework for compensation of victims of protests and riots.”
Balancing Freedom and Responsibility
President Ruto stressed the need to protect democratic freedoms while ensuring public safety.
“Since the 2010 Constitution, Kenyans enjoy greater liberty to demonstrate and picket. However, some demonstrations have regrettably turned violent,” he noted.
The Head of State lamented the harm caused during protests, saying lives were lost and many, including security officers, suffered serious injuries.
“There is compelling national interest in establishing a framework for accountability for victims of demonstrations, including civilians and security personnel who lost their lives or suffered bodily harm,” he affirmed.
Context: Protests and Public Pressure
The move follows months of nationwide protests that left several Kenyans dead or injured. Calls for victim compensation have grown louder, with civil society and opposition leaders demanding government action.
Critics have accused the state of dragging its feet. This latest announcement appears aimed at addressing those concerns and calming public outrage.
Raila’s Earlier Demand for Justice
Earlier in June, during Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga called for justice for victims of last year’s youth-led protests.
“Families of those who lost their lives and those injured must be compensated,” Raila insisted.
He welcomed Ruto’s public apology to affected families, but urged the government to follow words with action.
What Next?
The new framework will operate for four months. It will gather victim data, verify claims, and coordinate payouts. However, no details have yet been given on the budget allocation or payment timelines.
For victims and their families, the hope is that this initiative will finally turn years of pain into tangible justice.
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Ruto Appoints Makua Mutua to Lead 120-Day Protest Victim Compensation Plan
