Victims who say they suffered police brutality during the 2024 protests have threatened to return to the streets, claiming that hundreds of survivors have been unfairly left out of the government’s compensation programme.
The group says it is losing patience with the process and is now demanding greater transparency from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and other agencies involved in handling the claims.
Speaking through the Mathare Social Justice Centre, the victims argued that many people who sustained injuries during the demonstrations have been excluded despite having medical reports and other records to support their cases.
They claim that the current compensation standards developed by KNCHR and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have made it difficult for deserving applicants to qualify.
Human rights defender Frederick Ojiro warned that the group is prepared to stage demonstrations at the KNCHR headquarters if their concerns remain unanswered.
He said the victims and survivors want clear explanations about the compensation process and believe they deserve to be heard after the suffering they experienced during the protests.
Several victims said they have struggled to meet some of the evidence requirements despite having proof of their injuries.
Anthony Wesonga, one of those affected, explained that although he possesses the documents requested by authorities, he has been unable to provide witnesses because many people who assisted him after he was injured fear possible retaliation from law enforcement officers.
According to Wesonga, individuals who helped transport him from the protest scene to the hospital declined to support his complaint when he approached IPOA, saying they were worried about attracting attention from the police.
He believes this has made it much harder for victims like him to pursue justice.The group also alleges that some police stations refused to record complaints when victims initially reported the incidents.
They argue that this weakened their ability to gather official evidence and may have contributed to many deserving cases being left out of the compensation list.
KNCHR has reported documenting nearly 2,000 compensation claims, including 1,022 that were submitted through IPOA.
Out of all the claims received, 1,101 were reportedly approved for compensation.
The cases involve alleged violations such as loss of life, torture, sexual violence and enforced disappearances.
Despite these figures, many survivors say they still do not know who has qualified for compensation, the standards used to approve claims, how much money successful applicants are expected to receive or when the payments will actually be made.
They are calling for the immediate publication of the list of beneficiaries and a full explanation of the selection process.
Beyond financial compensation, the victims insist that officers found responsible for abuses should face criminal prosecution.
They argue that accountability is necessary to discourage future violations and ensure justice for those affected.
The group is also urging authorities to recognise reports submitted through civil society organisations, the Law Society of Kenya and media outlets as part of the evidence considered during the compensation exercise.
Their demands come as the government prepares to begin disbursing part of the Ksh2 billion allocated to compensate victims of human rights violations linked to protests held between 2017 and 2024.
The renewed calls for action also arrive just days before planned demonstrations marking the anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests on June 25, when participants intend to remember those who lost their lives or suffered injuries during the unrest.
