Protest victims demand withdrawal of case blocking compensation

A section of victims of the Gen Z protests has called for the withdrawal of a court case that has temporarily blocked their compensation.

The group addressed the media at Uhuru Park in Nairobi before holding a peaceful demonstration.

They urged petitioners in the matter to reconsider their legal action, arguing that it has stalled long-awaited relief for affected families.

“Compensation is long overdue. Families cannot eat court rulings. Children cannot go to school on legal arguments. Widows cannot survive on promises. We need compensation now, not tomorrow,” the group said in a statement read by Integrated Development Network–Kenya (IDN-Kenya) national coordinator Dennis Wendo.

Integrated Development Network–Kenya (IDN-Kenya) is a Public Benefits Organization dealing with security, cohesion, research and peace building.

Wendo said thousands of Kenyan families continue to live in pain, poverty and uncertainty after losing their loved ones during the protests. He noted that many breadwinners were killed, families were shattered, and children left without support, yet little tangible assistance has reached them.

“Thousands of Kenyan families are living in pain, poverty, and uncertainty after losing their loved ones during protests. Breadwinners were killed, families were shattered, and children were left without support. To date, many of these families have received nothing,” he said.

He criticised what he termed as endless litigation that benefits a few individuals while victims remain in distress.

“Individuals thrive on endless cases while victims of protests continue to suffer,” Wendo said.

He further accused some civil society actors and what he described as self-appointed activists of frustrating efforts to roll out compensation while claiming to represent victims.

“They do not represent us, they fundraise in our name, yet families remain hungry,” he said.

The push for withdrawal of the case follows a decision by the High Court in Kerugoya to issue conservatory orders temporarily halting the operations of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests, pending the full hearing of a case filed against it.

The decision followed a motion filed by lawyer Levi Munyeri.

Justice Ngwono’s orders also suspended Gazette Notice No. 12002 of August 25, 2025, which had formally established the panel to design a framework for reparations and compensation for victims of demonstrations, public protests and riots.

The panel had been tasked with developing criteria for identifying victims and recommending appropriate compensation, in what was seen as a step toward addressing grievances arising from last year’s protests.

Among those who spoke at Uhuru Park was a protest victim who said his life has been drastically altered by injuries sustained during the demonstrations.

He said he used to work as a construction worker but can no longer earn a living because of injuries he suffered.

He was shot in the leg on July 7, 2025, in the Githurai area of Nairobi.

Unable to resume manual labour, he said he now depends on well-wishers to survive and support his family.