President William Samoei Ruto has announced the creation of a national framework to coordinate compensation for victims of demonstrations and public protests held in Kenya since 2017.
The initiative, introduced through a presidential proclamation issued on August 8, 2025, is designed to provide reparations for both civilians and security personnel who suffered bodily harm or lost their lives during protests and riots across the country.
“I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, in exercise of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby establish a coordinating framework for compensation of victims of protests and riots, which shall be vested under the Executive Office of the President,” Ruto said in the proclamation.
The framework will operate under the Executive Office of the President and will be implemented in close collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Treasury, and other relevant government agencies.
President Ruto noted that the move is driven by the need to establish a structured system for accountability and reparative justice in response to harm experienced during protests. “There is compelling national interest in establishing a framework for accountability, redress and reparations for victims of demonstrations and public protests,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of balancing constitutionally protected freedoms such as the right to demonstrate and picket with civic responsibility and the need to maintain public safety and order. The new framework is expected to address long-standing calls for justice from victims, their families, and human rights advocates.
To lead the coordination of this effort, Ruto has appointed Makau Mutua, Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, as the Principal Coordinator of the State Intervention and Compensation Framework. The team will have a 120-day tenure from the date of the proclamation to carry out its mandate.
Since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, Kenya has seen an expansion in democratic space, allowing citizens greater freedom to express dissent and mobilize around political or social issues.
However, President Ruto acknowledged that some of these demonstrations have “regrettably turned violent,” resulting in injuries and fatalities among both civilians and law enforcement officers.
The announcement comes at a time when there have been renewed calls for justice and accountability following recent nationwide protests. Among the most notable were the Saba Saba demonstrations on July 7, during which close to 60 lives were lost and extensive property damage was reported.
While the presidential proclamation does not outline specific compensation amounts or eligibility criteria, it marks a significant shift toward institutionalising state-led reparative measures for victims of unrest. The initiative signals a commitment by the state to recognize past harms and take steps toward redress.
By establishing this framework, the government aims to not only provide compensation but also promote accountability, restore public trust and reinforce the principle that rights and responsibilities must coexist within a democratic society.
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