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Victims of protest-related violence call for immediate compensation
11th February, 2026 04:25 PM
Victims of protest-related violence in Kenya are calling for immediate compensation, saying thousands of families are living in pain, poverty, and uncertainty.
The group says many lost loved ones during protests, including breadwinners, leaving children without support and widows struggling to survive. Despite court rulings and repeated promises, most families have yet to receive any form of payment.
“We have waited patiently. We have listened to promises. We have respected institutions. But our patience has been exhausted,” read a statement from the group on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
They explained that compensation cannot wait any longer.
“Children cannot go to school on legal arguments. Widows cannot survive on promises. We need compensation now, not tomorrow,” they added.
The group strongly condemned the continued use of courts to delay payments.
“The justice system must not be turned into a marketplace where victims’ suffering is traded and delayed for interests that have nothing to do with our pain,” they said.
They warned that these delays are fueling frustration and despair among affected families.
Court interference and brokers
The group also raised concerns about middlemen and brokers who benefit from prolonged cases. According to the statement, these individuals and groups are not seeking justice but are exploiting cases for personal, political, or financial gain.
“These court brokers are not helping victims; they are prolonging our suffering,” the statement read.
Some civil society actors and self-appointed activists were also criticised for blocking or slowing down compensation while claiming to speak on behalf of victims.
“They fundraise in our name, yet families remain hungry. Civil societies are stopping our compensation, and this betrayal must end,” the statement read.
The group expressed full support for the President’s initiative to compensate victims of protest-related violence. They described the program as a direct, humane, and practical solution that must not be sabotaged or delayed.
“This initiative offers a real way to help families. It must be protected from court games, brokers, or external agendas,” they said.
“Lipa victims sasa. Toka kotini tulipwe,” they said, stressing that justice must be immediate and real, not just a promise on paper.
