Victims Claim Compensation Process Lacks Transparency Despite Government Assurances

By Violet Kerubo

Victims and survivors of alleged state violence have accused the government of failing to honour its promise to compensate those affected by abductions, enforced disappearances, torture and killings during recent protests.

Speaking at a press briefing held at Amnesty International Kenya offices on Thursday, a coalition led by Bill Mwangi, Peter Muteti and other survivors claimed that although the government had announced plans to compensate 1,101 victims, none of them had received the promised payments. They said they were speaking not only for themselves but also for all Kenyans who were abducted, tortured, disappeared or lost their lives during the demonstrations.

The coalition alleged that the government had allocated KSh2 billion for the compensation programme and announced that payments would begin on June 23. However, they claimed that more than a month later, victims remained in the dark despite government assertions that the exercise was underway. According to the survivors, no official list of beneficiaries has been published, making it impossible to verify who, if anyone, has been compensated.

Some victims narrated that they were contacted on June 24 and informed that the compensation funds would soon be deposited into their bank accounts, but they say the money has never been received. Others said their relatives disappeared during the protests and remain unaccounted for, adding that they continue to wait for answers and justice.

The survivors further alleged that the government was using unlawful procedures in the compensation process while denying victims their constitutional rights. They argued that those said to have received compensation had not been identified through a gazetted list, raising concerns over transparency and accountability.

Their lawyer told journalists that the coalition has moved to court seeking orders to compel the government to conduct the compensation exercise lawfully. They want the government to publish a gazette notice and make public the names of all beneficiaries to ensure the process is transparent and fair.

The group also called on Peter Makau to substantiate his public claims that compensation is ongoing by disclosing who has already been paid. They warned that the compensation timeline is nearing its end without meaningful progress and urged the government to immediately release all individuals who remain abducted or unlawfully detained.