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State ready to compensate protests victims, 1,800 identified
Dr Raymond Nyeris, vice-chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and commissioner, Prof Marion Mutugi, at the commission's headquarters in Nairobi on November 20, 2024.
At least 1,800 people who were either killed or maimed during protests have been positively identified and will benefit from a government programme, the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights said.
KNCHR commissioner, Prof Marion Mutugi, said a list of the names and details of those who died or was maimed has been submitted to the government for compensation.
Prof Mutugi said the list comprised people who died or were injured from 2024 when the country was rocked by protests to date.
Speaking Wednesday during a sensitisation forum for victims of protests at Kagio town in Kirinyaga County, Prof Mutugi observed that many people suffered during the anti-government protests and the State should ensure such acts of violation of human rights are never repeated again.
She said it was the constitutional right for every Kenyan to hold demonstrations peacefully without any interference from police.
She was emphatic that the law does not allow use of excessive force by police officers during protests, pointing out that anybody who advocates use of excessive force operates outside the law, saying criminal proceedings should be commenced and those found accountable made to face the rule of law.
"We have had an outpouring response when we asked people who had been shot and injured to come," said Prof Mutugi.
She said the KNCHR expects the government to act fast and ensure that the victims of protests are well compensated and the survivors rehabilitated. She clarified that the KNCHR had not been given cash for compensation.
"The President announced there is Sh2billion to compensate victims of protests, I want to tell the public, KNCHR does not have this money, it has not been given to us," she said.
She explained that the role of the Commission was to get the complaints of the victims and do a flame work for compensation but not to pay, adding that the State is the one mandated with the role.
During the nationwide protests against the proposed tax increase in 2024 Finance Bill, 50 people were shot dead while 413 were injured across the country.
Majority of those who perished succumbed to injuries caused by bullets and inhalation of teargas.
The pandemonium
Kenyans across the country, majority of whom were youths, stormed the streets arguing that the proposed tax hikes would be oppressive and lead to high cost of living.
At the height of the protests, youths run down the National Assembly, sending lawmakers fleeing and caused extensive damage to the Parliament buildings.
In 2025, scores of youths in Embu were injured when they poured into the streets protesting over the abduction of Billy Mwangi by security officers.
Following the protests, the government was forced to free Mwangi.
Recently, Kenyans returned to the streets to protest over the increase of fuel prices.
Chaos erupted in several counties as the protesters engaged police in running battles, during which several people were shot dead and others injured.
Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed during the protests.
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