Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed government plans to compensate families of young people killed in last year’s anti-government protests, arguing that justice must come first.
Speaking on Sunday during an event in Kajiado, Kalonzo said the opposition had launched the People’s Restorative Justice initiative to highlight the plight of victims and ensure accountability for state actions. He stressed that financial reparation without addressing the root causes of police brutality and systemic injustices would be a hollow gesture.
“Last year’s protests led to many deaths of our youth, and that is why as the opposition, we decided to set up the People’s Restorative Justice,” Kalonzo said. “These issues have to be brought to the surface and discussed before even issues of compensation can be dealt with. Compensation without justice is pointless.”
He further linked justice to national development, warning that reforms must precede healing. “You cannot have development without justice, and we are not just saying this for the sake of it. We are determined that this country changes,” he added.
The protests, which erupted in 2023 against the controversial 2024 Finance Bill and allegations of government waste and corruption, were marred by heavy-handed crackdowns. Security forces were accused of excessive force, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, mostly among youth.
In response, President William Ruto announced a national compensation framework for victims of public protests and riots. The plan, overseen by an 18-member panel chaired by Prof. Makau Mutua, aims to provide relief to affected families.
However, its implementation has been stalled after the High Court in Kerugoya temporarily suspended the program. A petition challenged the framework’s legality and procedures, leaving grieving families in limbo.
Kalonzo’s stance signals a growing rift over how Kenya should reckon with the legacy of last year’s unrest whether through financial relief, legal accountability, or systemic reforms.
