The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has welcomed President William Ruto’s proclamation establishing a national framework to compensate victims of demonstrations and public protests since 2017.

The announcement, made on Friday through the Executive Office of the President, has been described by ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir as a significant step toward justice, accountability, and national healing.

The initiative, which covers both civilians and security officers who lost their lives or suffered injuries during protests, reflects ODM’s long-standing advocacy for democratic reforms and the protection of human rights.

Nassir termed the move “a defining moment in Kenya’s journey toward justice, accountability, and healing,” pointing to the party’s historical role in the Second Liberation struggles and more recent protests that have shaped the country’s democratic path.

Honouring sacrifices and fostering healing

President Ruto’s proclamation acknowledges the national interest in addressing harm suffered during periods of political unrest. Nassir noted that Kenya’s democratic history is inseparable from the sacrifices of citizens who took to the streets to demand reforms, defend civil liberties, and resist injustice.

He said the framework, if implemented with integrity and transparency, will provide long-overdue redress to victims and their families while setting the stage for reconciliation by affirming the dignity of every Kenyan life.

The ODM deputy leader expressed gratitude to President Ruto for his leadership in initiating the framework and praised ODM leader Raila Odinga for his lifelong commitment to justice and peaceful protest. “Throughout his life, he has stood on the frontline of peaceful protest, often at great personal cost, embodying the very spirit that this initiative seeks to honour,” Nassir said.

Coordinated implementation

The framework will be coordinated by Prof. Makau Mutua, Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, and will operate for 120 days. It will focus on identifying victims, processing claims, and disbursing compensation.

The initiative follows growing calls from civil society and human rights organisations to address the plight of protest victims, including high-profile cases such as the abduction of activist Gabriel Oguda in June 2024, documented by the Law Society of Kenya.

Nassir stressed that the process must be guided by openness, fairness, and respect for human dignity. “Let it remind us that even in disagreement, the State has a solemn duty to protect life and uphold rights,” he said.

Commitment to justice and inclusivity

ODM reaffirmed its commitment to stand with Kenyans in advocating for justice, inclusivity, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. The party expressed readiness to engage constructively in the process to ensure it delivers truth, healing, and a better future for all.

The presidential framework draws from the 2010 Constitution’s emphasis on civic responsibility and the protection of freedoms, aiming to promote accountability and a culture of respect for public protests. Its success, observers note, will depend on the transparency and fairness of its implementation.