Kenyans have been struggling with rising costs and political tension, and the protests that spread across the country last year and later this year are still shaping national conversations.
What was once anger on the streets has now turned into debates on justice, accountability, and how far leaders are willing to go to protect their own interests. The government’s decision to set up a taskforce to compensate victims of police brutality was meant to ease tensions, but it has opened up new questions about motive and trust.
During a live interview on Citizen TV with Yvonne Okwara on August 26, 2025, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua gave his perspective on these developments. Having worked closely with President William Ruto before his impeachment, Gachagua said the compensation plan might not be what it seems.
He argued that the government is less concerned with helping victims and more interested in identifying them. According to him, once victims are known, they could be silenced or even prevented from testifying in possible International Criminal Court cases.
He warned that this information could be used to weaken future investigations into crimes against humanity, stating that the whole exercise may serve as a way of tracking potential witnesses rather than delivering justice.
These remarks immediately sparked reactions online, with Kenyans recalling the events of 2007–2008 when post-election violence led to ICC trials.
Back then, several witnesses disappeared or changed their stories, raising concerns about safety and intimidation. Many social media users connected Gachagua’s warning to those experiences, with some claiming the current plan could repeat the same pattern. Others highlighted that members of the taskforce, including respected figures like Makau Mutua, should focus on protecting victims rather than exposing them to risk.
The interview touched on wider issues too. Gachagua accused Ruto of bribing lawmakers to push through controversial decisions, including his own impeachment. He alleged that MPs were given 200,000 shillings each to support the Finance Bill 2024, while senators pocketed millions to remove him from office.
He described the president as a leader who collects files on politicians and uses corruption cases to control them, creating an image of a government ruled by fear and money rather than democracy.
Not everyone has taken Gachagua’s words at face value. Some critics say he is bitter after losing power and question why he never spoke up when he was still in office. Others believe the compensation plan, despite its flaws, is necessary to support families who lost loved ones in the protests.
Skeptics, however, point out that the money for compensation has not been budgeted, which raises doubts about whether it is a genuine attempt to provide relief or just a political move to calm international pressure.
The demonstrations that began in June 2024 over the Finance Bill left deep scars. Human rights groups recorded more than 60 deaths and hundreds of injuries, while calls for accountability have grown louder.
Activists have even asked the ICC to open investigations into police conduct, keeping the issue alive on both local and international platforms.
Ruto has defended his administration by insisting reforms are underway and that the compensation plan is proof of his government’s commitment to justice.
Gachagua’s interview has now added weight to an already heated debate. Social media remains divided, with some users praising him for exposing hidden agendas while others dismiss his remarks as political theater.
Regardless of which side one takes, the bigger issue is that Kenyans want transparency and fairness. Families who lost loved ones deserve support without fear of being turned into pawns in political games.
For the country to move forward, trust must be rebuilt, and that will only come if leaders act with honesty and put the people first.
