Gakuya: Ruto should use his own money to compensate protest victims
James Gakuya, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi North, has challenged President William Ruto to personally compensate protest victims, rather than relying on government funds.
Speaking on a local TV station on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Gakuya argued that the Head of State should take individual responsibility for the injustices committed by the police against protestors.
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“Compensation may cool the hearts of affected families, but it is not enough. Why did they take charge in the first place and commit such wrongs, only to come back later and compensate? If President Ruto truly wants to compensate, he should use his own money, not taxpayers’ money,’ he said.
Also watch: DP Kindiki says the law does not allow for compensation of protest victims
The legislator continued with his onslaught against the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of reckless orders and remarks aimed at causing havoc and public fury.
“Police kill people, like it happened recently, and then a whole minister who carries that docket comes out and tells or orders the same police kill or shoot to kill any youth who come near a police station,” Gakuya scoffed.
He added: “And then you want to tell us so that you suit and cover the evil you have done, you are going to resurrect bodies that are dead by compensating their families? That is not justification at all.”
Gakuya’s remarks come amid growing criticism over the move by the government to constitute the panel of experts to oversee the compensation of families of victims of the recent anti-government demos.
Compensation works halted
Meanwhile, the Kerugoya High Court has temporarily issued a conservatory order blocking President William Ruto’s appointed panel of experts on the compensation of victims of demonstrations and public protests from starting its work.
Justice Magare Kizito’s orders, issued on Monday, September 8, 2025, come days after the members of the experts panel were sworn into office to start the work.
Also watch: High Court suspends Ruto’s compensation panel over legality row
“A conservatory order is hereby issued to stay the commencement of the mandate of the panel of experts on compensation of victims of demonstrations and public protests pending the hearing of this application inter partes,” Justice Magare ordered.
Further, Justice Magare has issued an order halting the implementation of the gazette notice that appointed the members of the panel of experts on compensation of victims of demonstrations and public protests until the application filed at the Kerugoya High Court is heard.
“A conservatory order staying the implementation or further implementation of the gazette notice 12002 of August 25, 2025, that appointed a panel of experts on compensation of victims of demonstrations and public protests to establish a framework for the reparations and compensation of victims of demonstrations, public protests and riots, pending the hearing of this application inter partes,” Justice Magare ordered.
