Ruto: Protest victims to receive compensation by June

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, President William Ruto and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga at the joint UDA-ODM Parliamentary group meeting at KICC on March 10, 2026/PCS

President William Ruto has assured that victims of protests across the country will receive compensation by June this year if the ongoing process proceeds as planned.

Speaking during a joint parliamentary group meeting bringing together lawmakers from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the President said the government has already put in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure that affected families and individuals are compensated.

Ruto said the process has been long but necessary to ensure it is conducted legally and transparently, noting that the government is committed to addressing injustices that occurred during past demonstrations.

“It is our belief that unless something else happens, we should be able to conclude this exercise by June,” the President said.

The Head of State acknowledged that while financial compensation cannot replace the lives lost during protests, the government has a duty to support affected families and recognise the harm suffered by victims.

“You can never compensate for a life lost, but you can do something about it. That is why we took the first step and gazetted a victims’ compensation panel, although the matter later went to court,” Ruto stated.

According to the President, the government has already identified victims through collaboration with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

“We have identified all the victims of protests together with KNCHR and IPOA. We now have a comprehensive list that even goes back to victims of protests from 2017,” he said.

Ruto further revealed that the government has already allocated resources for the compensation programme and Parliament is expected to approve Sh2 billion to facilitate the payments.

“We have provided the necessary resources and MPs will be approving Sh2 billion to support the compensation of these victims,” the President added.

The process had earlier stalled after legal challenges, but the President said the courts have since issued guidance on how the compensation exercise should proceed.

“The court finally came through and gave direction on how that process should be done. Last week, in compliance with the court’s decision, we gazetted a panel as recommended to expedite the process,” Ruto explained.

Beyond compensation, the President said the government is also looking at ways of protecting protesters in future demonstrations, emphasising that the right to protest is guaranteed under the Constitution.

“We are not stopping there. We want to look at the future. Protesting is a constitutional right and we must protect that right,” he said.

Ruto noted that the government would not take the lead in drafting new legislation on protest protections to avoid conflict of interest.

“It will be right for us to recommend KNCHR to propose a law on the protection of protesters because we do not want the Executive arm of government to propose that law,” he said.