Veteran pro-democracy activist Wafula Buke has raised important concerns about the government’s compensation framework for victims of recent anti-government protests. He argues that the proposed compensation amounts for families of those who lost their lives fall short, especially when compared to court awards given to survivors of torture during the Nyayo era.
In a televised interview on Monday night, July 6, 2026, Buke shared his personal experience as a former political detainee, revealing that he received Ksh6.5 million after enduring unlawful detention and torture for 14 days at Nyayo House.
“If Ksh6.5 million is the compensation for just 14 days of suffering, how can the government justify offering families of those who died in protests only Ksh3 million?” Buke questioned.
He expressed his disbelief at the government’s decision, emphasizing that it undervalues the lives lost.
“According to President Ruto, do they really believe families deserve only Ksh3 million?” he asked.
Buke highlighted that many of his fellow victims from the Moi regime received even greater compensation through the courts.
“I mention this because I know comrades who were awarded as much as Ksh20 million and are still alive. Yet, under President Ruto’s administration, a life appears to be valued at just Ksh3 million,” Buke stated.
Buke’s comments come shortly after President William Ruto received the Framework for Compensation of Victims of Protests and Riots, developed by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) with insights from an 18-member panel chaired by constitutional scholar Prof. Makau Mutua. This framework emerged from recommendations made during the bipartisan National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process.
The government has allocated Ksh2 billion to compensate victims of human rights violations that occurred during protests between 2013 and 2025. This includes cases of extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, injuries, and destruction of livelihoods.
While launching the program, President Ruto acknowledged that financial compensation can never completely heal the pain experienced by victims and their families.
“The Ksh2 billion we have set aside cannot replace a son or daughter. It cannot mend years lost to trauma. It cannot fully compensate a family, a trader, or a community for the losses they’ve endured,” the president said. He also clarified that the compensation package aims to address verified human rights violations rather than reward any violence or criminal behavior during demonstrations.
The Makau Mutua-led panel later published a compensation matrix, detailing payments based on the severity of the harm experienced.
Under this framework, families of those who died will receive Ksh3 million, victims with severe injuries will receive Ksh1 million, those with moderate injuries will get Ksh500,000, and victims with minor injuries will receive Ksh50,000. Survivors of aggravated sexual violence may receive Ksh1 million, while those who suffered economic losses could be eligible for up to Ksh50,000, with pending medical expenses also reimbursed under the program.
Claimants must provide supporting documents, such as post-mortem reports, medical records, police reports, or witness statements, depending on their situation. The panel clarified that the verification standard is a “reasonable basis to believe,” which is less stringent than what is typically required in criminal trials.
The compensation process is already underway.
In the initial phase, the panel announced payments to 348 verified victims, distributing Ksh448.7 million across six categories of harm. This included Ksh345 million for 115 families of deceased victims (Ksh3 million each), Ksh24 million for 24 severely injured victims, Ksh68.5 million for 137 victims with moderate injuries, Ksh3 million for 60 victims with minor injuries, Ksh8 million for eight survivors of aggravated sexual offenses, and compensation for four victims who experienced economic losses.
The panel has indicated that compensation will continue in phases until all verified claims are resolved. Recently, they announced that over 500 victims have received a combined Ksh674 million under the program, signaling an expansion of the initiative.
Reactions to the framework have been mixed. While many families welcomed the government’s decision to start compensating victims, legal experts and political leaders have voiced concerns, with some victims reporting feelings of exclusion.
Constitutional lawyer Willis Otieno has argued that compensation cannot replace accountability, insisting that authorities must identify and prosecute those responsible for unlawful killings and injuries during protests.
Siaya Governor James Orengo also questioned whether Ksh3 million is sufficient for fatalities, noting that Kenyan courts have awarded families between Ksh20 million and Ksh50 million in wrongful death cases, depending on the circumstances.
Buke invoked this comparison, suggesting that the compensation awarded to victims of historical state abuses indicates that the value assigned to lives lost during recent protests deserves reevaluation.
