Babu Owino calls out govt over delayed compensation of those killed during Gen Z protests

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has criticized the government for its failure to fulfil its promise of compensating the families of those who lost their lives during the 2024 anti-government protests.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook account on Monday, January 20, 2025, Owino voiced his frustration over the broken promises made to grieving families.

“The Government has completely failed to compensate the families of those who lost their loved ones during the Gen Z Protests,” he said.

Owino accused the government of neglecting its moral obligation.

“We understand that money cannot compensate for life, but why promise and then fail to deliver? It’s been one promise after another,” he wrote.

On July 5, 2024, President William Ruto said the government would support those who lost their lives and were injured during the demonstrations.

In his address to the nation, Ruto extended his condolences to the families affected by the protests.

“Once again, I extend my deepest condolences to those who unfortunately lost their lives. One life lost is a life too many. The government will support all those who have lost their lives, and all those who have been injured,” he said.

Gen Z protests

In 2024, Kenya experienced youth-led protests against the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed tax hikes on essential commodities, sparking nationwide demonstrations that began on June 18, 2024.

On July 1, 2024, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), in a statement, reported that at least 39 people lost their lives and 361 others were injured during the nationwide protests which took place from June 18, 2024, to July 1, 2024.

Former KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odede at the time emphasized that although the protests began peacefully, they escalated into violence on June 25, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage.

The fatalities were reported across several counties, including Nairobi (17), Nakuru (3), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4), and Mombasa (3).

Additionally, the Commission documented 32 cases of enforced disappearances, 627 arrests, and numerous threats that forced individuals into hiding. T

The Commission condemned both the excessive use of force by security personnel and the violent acts committed by protesters, which included the destruction of government infrastructure, private property, and politically affiliated assets.