Court orders govt to pay people injured in Kisumu and Migori 2023 protests
By Zipporah Ngwatu, March 25, 2026Kisumu High Court judge Alfred Mabeya has ordered the government to pay the families of people injured and killed in Kisumu and Migori during the 2023 protests.
On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the judge ordered the Inspector General of Police (IG), National Police Service (NPS), and Attorney General (AG) to pay over 25 petitioners between Ksh300,000 and Ksh4.8 million.
“An order for compensation by the 1st to 3rd respondents, jointly and severally, to the petitioners is hereby issued,” Judge Mabeya ordered.
The judgement stems from a petition filed on August 30, 2024, citing that several people were injured and killed by police in Kisumu and Migori during the said protests.
The protests took place due to the high cost of living and other grievances against the government.
Unfortunately, the protesters were often met with police brutality, which resulted in injuries and death.
Judge Mabeya has revealed that the IG and the NPS violated the petitioners’ rights by shooting and assaulting them in Migori, Kisumu and Ahero, areas between the months of March and July, 2023, during public demonstrations against the high cost of living dubbed the “Azimio Maandamano”.
Overwhelming evidence
He has stated that there is overwhelming evidence of when, where, who and what happened, and the actions complained of are gunshots and assault. The victims are known; there are medical reports to affirm the averments of the violence meted out on the victims.
“A declaration is hereby issued that the 1st and 2nd respondents (IG and NPS) violated the petitioners’ rights by subjecting them to torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment by either shooting them or assaulting them, causing them severe and fatal injuries, contrary to Articles 28 and 29 of the Constitution,” Judge Mabeya ruled.
Further, the learned judge has ruled that the IG, NPS and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) failed to promptly, transparently, effectively, and thoroughly investigate instances where use of force led to death or injury of the petitioners.
Justice Mabeya has also ordered IPOA to thoroughly investigate under which the petitioners or their kin died or were injured at the hands of police officers.
“An order of mandamus hereby issues directing the 4th respondent (IPOA) to initiate prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into the circumstances under which the petitioners or their kin died or were injured at the hands of the officers of the 2nd respondent (NPS), under the overall command of the 1st respondent (IG),” Judge Mabeya ordered.
The court has also directed the IG, NPS and Attorney General (AG) to prepare, develop and publish regulations on public order management to regulate and manage public demonstrations and picketing within 90 days.
There will be a mention on July 7, 2026, to confirm compliance with the court orders.
The government will compensate the petitioners as follows, as per the court orders: –
I). 1st petitioner – Kshs1,250,000
ii). 2nd petitioner – Kshs1,050,000
iii). 3rd petitioner – Kshs1,050,000
iv). 4th petitioner – Kshs910,000
v). 5th petitioner – Kshs1,110,000.
vi). 6th petitioner – Kshs1.110.000
vii). 7th petitioner – Kshs1,110.000
viii). 8th petitioner – Kshs1,400,050
ix). 9th petitioner – Kshs1,110,000
x). 10th petitioner – Kshs300,000
xi). 11th petitioner – Kshs1,021,000
xii). 12th petitioner – Kshs650,000
xiii). 13th petitioner – Kshs660,000
xiv). 14th petitioner – Kshs3,500,000
xv). 15th petitioner – Kshs4,120,000
xvi). 16th petitioner – Kshs450,000
xvii). 17th petitioner – Kshs836,000
xviii). 18th petitioner – Kshs350,000
xix). 19th petitioner – Kshs4,000,000
xx). 20th petitioner – Kshs1,250,000
xxi). 21st petitioner – Kshs1,305,000
xxii). 22nd petitioner – Kshs300,000
xxiii). 23rd petitioner – Kshs800,000
xxiv). 24th petitioner – Kshs500,000
xxv). 25th petitioner – Kshs500,000
xxvi). 26th petitioner – Kshs600,000
xxvii). 27th petitioner – Kshs4,870,000.
xxviii). 28th petitioner – Kshs2,515,000