Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has called for a statement on the implementation of the government’s Sh2 billion compensation and reparations programme for victims of demonstration-related violence and enforced disappearances, citing concerns over transparency, accountability, and the identification of beneficiaries.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate yesterday, Osotsi asked the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights to explain how the compensation programme is being administered and whether it is adequately addressing the needs of victims and their families.
The senator acknowledged the government’s allocation of Sh2 billion for compensation but questioned the criteria being used to identify beneficiaries and distribute the funds.
“While the recent allocation of Kshs. 2 billion has offered hope to affected families, many continue to grapple with loss, trauma, and uncertainty. Concerns have been raised about transparency, accountability and whether the programme will adequately address the plight of all victims, underscoring the need for clarity and justice in its implementation,” Osotsi told the Senate.
He asked the committee, chaired by Senator Wakili Sigei, to provide details on the eligibility criteria used by the government and relevant agencies to identify beneficiaries, including the verification process, categories of victims covered, the number of claims received, and the timelines for compensation.
Osotsi also sought an update on the status of compensation for the families of those killed, people injured during demonstrations, and victims of torture and other human rights violations. He further requested information on the medical, psychological, legal, and socio-economic support being offered to affected individuals and their families.
The Vihiga senator also pressed the committee to account for efforts to establish the fate of missing persons linked to the protests.
He asked the committee to outline the progress of investigations into enforced disappearances, measures being taken to trace missing persons, and the support being extended to their families while investigations continue.
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“The Committee should provide this House with details on accountability measures, including investigations, prosecutions, and disciplinary action against those implicated in unlawful killings, torture, and other human rights violations and enforced disappearances,” Osotsi said.
He further called for an update on reforms aimed at preventing future human rights violations during public demonstrations, including the establishment of oversight mechanisms and the implementation of recommendations made by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and other relevant bodies.
The statement, once tabled by the Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee, is expected to shed light on the management of the compensation programme and the government’s response to victims of protest-related violence and enforced disappearances.
