Protest victims have petitioned both the Supreme Court and the National Assembly seeking the withdrawal of court cases they say are preventing them from receiving compensation.
The group, led by the Integrated Development Network–Kenya (IDN-Kenya), argues that ongoing litigation has stalled implementation of a compensation framework for those killed or injured during last year’s demonstrations. They accused the petitioners behind the cases of standing in the way of justice and urged them to reconsider their actions.
“Compensation is long overdue. Families cannot eat court rulings. Children cannot go to school on legal arguments. Widows cannot survive on promises. We need compensation now, not tomorrow,” the organization said in a statement read by its national coordinator, Dennis Wendo.
Wendo noted that thousands of families continue to struggle after losing loved ones during the protests, saying many households lost breadwinners and have yet to receive any meaningful support.
“Thousands of Kenyan families are living in pain, poverty and uncertainty after losing their loved ones during protests. Breadwinners were killed, families were shattered and children were left without support. To date, many of these families have received nothing,” he said.
He also criticized what he described as prolonged court battles that benefit a few individuals while victims remain in distress, and accused some civil society actors and self-styled activists of frustrating compensation efforts while claiming to represent victims.
“They do not represent us. They fundraise in our name, yet families remain hungry,” Wendo added.
The group marched from Uhuru Park to Parliament buildings, where officials from the National Assembly Clerk’s office received their petition. They later proceeded to the Supreme Court, where Deputy Registrar Bernard Kasavuli acknowledged receipt and asked them to provide case numbers and additional details to enable fast-tracking.
“We have received the petition and gone through it. We have requested IDN-Kenya to share the case numbers and other details so we can forward the matter to the Chief Justice,” Kasavuli said.
Some victims also shared their experiences. One man said injuries he sustained during the July 7, 2025 protests in Githurai left him unable to continue working as a construction labourer. He now depends on well-wishers to support his family.
A mother of a deceased protester said she has been forced to care for her young grandchildren after their father was shot and killed during last year’s demonstrations.
The petition follows a ruling by the High Court in Kerugoya that issued conservatory orders temporarily halting the operations of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests pending the hearing of a case filed by lawyer Levi Munyeri.
The court also suspended Gazette Notice No. 12002 of August 25, 2025, which had formally established the panel to develop a framework for reparations and compensation. The panel had been tasked with identifying victims and recommending appropriate payouts as part of efforts to address grievances arising from the protests.
