Kenya pledges comprehensive reform and compensation for victims of protest abuses following human rights report
Written by: Mohammed Omran
Confirmed Kenyan governmentKenya National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR) has pledged its full commitment to implementing the report “Framework for Compensation and Reparation for Victims of Human Rights Violations During Protests and Demonstrations,” during a ceremony at the State Palace in Nairobi.
Officials said the move represents the beginning of a new national phase aimed at addressing the chronic challenges associated with the rights to demonstrate and protest in the country, which in recent years has often witnessed violence, injuries, loss of life, and destruction of property, along with widespread feelings of anger and division.
The statement noted that for decades, successive governments have faced this tragedy with condemnation, without reaching a radical solution, even though the problem is complex and requires deep and comprehensive reforms.
The government added that the decision to act came because the cost of not reforming had become greater than the cost of taking difficult but necessary steps, stressing that this path began with the National Dialogue Committee in 2023, in cooperation with the late Raila Odinga, with the aim of strengthening democracy and consolidating national unity and reconciliation.
The government affirmed its commitment to implementing all the recommendations contained in the KNCHR report, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of citizens to assemble, hold sit-ins, demonstrate, and submit petitions peacefully.
She stressed that the state’s duty is not limited to protecting these rights, but also extends to ensuring their exercise in an environment that respects human dignity, protects lives, and upholds justice.
