Gladys Wanga reveals plan to factor in IDPs in compensation framework talks
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 6, 2025Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has stated that there was a plan by the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) and leaders from Luo Nyanza to include the compensation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the compensation framework that was being led by Makau Mutua.
While speaking during a memorial service for the late Raila Odinga in Migori on Thursday, November 6, 2025, she expressed her fury over how a section of Kenyans moved to court to block such a genuine cause that would have seen Kenyans who were harmed during protests between 2017 and 2024 compensated.
She further stated that they intended to see how the issues of IDPs could be factored in so that not only protest victims would be compensated but also those who were internally displaced and hailed from Luo Nyanza during the past post-election disputes. However, the courts went ahead and halted the compensation programme.
“We wanted to include the issue of IDPs in the compensation framework, especially those who were yet to be compensated and were from Nyanza. We wanted the compensation framework to include protest victims from 2017 to 2024, plus IDPs,” she said.
She went on to urge the courts to move with speed and rule on the matter before them and to allow protest victims to be compensated for the losses they suffered during the protests.
“The biggest part of our issue was also on the compensation of victims. I want to urge our courts; the victims of post-election violence are waiting for compensation, and Raila Odinga, together with the President, had constituted a committee under Makau Mutua to handle it,” she added.
Compensation panel
The idea of compensation was first brought forth by the late former prime minister during the Madaraka Day fete in Homa Bay, which then sparked a lot of reactions, with Kenyans demanding that the government should first ensure justice for the protest victims before compensation.
These calls also come at a time when the court temporarily halted the Mutua-led compensation panel, with Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo withdrawing herself from the panel where she was serving as the vice-chair, with her position being replaced by Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Chairperson, Claris Awuor Ogangah-Onyango.