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Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–K) chief Eugene Wamalwa have rejected President William Ruto’s newly announced framework for compensating victims of protests dating back to 2017, insisting that the process should be handled by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Speaking a day after President Ruto unveiled the plan, the opposition leaders questioned its legality and dismissed the appointment of Prof. Makau Mutua to spearhead the initiative, saying the Executive cannot impartially compensate victims of state-perpetrated brutality.
“The Executive itself is responsible for these atrocities through the shoot-to-kill and shoot-in-the-leg orders. How can the aggressor be trusted to deliver justice to its own victims? A wolf cannot preside over the case of a cow; fisi hawezi kusimamia kesi ya mbuzi,” said Kalonzo.
Wamalwa echoed the sentiment, arguing that natural justice demands neutrality. “Victims cannot trust a process led by a presidential appointee whose loyalty lies with the same state that was the aggressor in the Azimio protests of 2023, the Gen Z demonstrations of 2024, and the recent Saba Saba protests,” he said.
The two leaders have called for an inclusive, transparent roadmap that clearly defines eligibility, compensation amounts, and the composition of a representative committee to oversee the process. They also want the suspension of Prof. Mutua’s role pending a court determination on the legality of his advisory appointment by the President.
Kalonzo criticized the lack of budgetary allocation for the compensation plan, warning against arbitrary figures. “You cannot just wake up and announce you will pay victims Ksh100,000. The amount must be punitive and cover those responsible for these atrocities,” he said.
The opposition further demands that all redress efforts be transferred to KNCHR in line with Article 59(1)(e) of the Constitution, while seeking public disclosure of the legal basis for what they term a “parallel compensation structure.”
“The dangling of goodies has just started. This Prof. Mutua team is just one such gesture to create the impression of goodwill. They might never actually compensate the victims,” Wamalwa warned.
The leaders vowed to remain united in their push for justice, even as President Ruto appeared to gain a political boost after ODM leader Raila Odinga hinted at possibly supporting his 2027 re-election bid.
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