Kalonzo shares stage with Makau Mutua days after clashing on compensation plan
By Arnold Ngure, August 15, 2025Wiper Democratic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka shared a platform after publicly disagreeing with President William Ruto’s advisor, Makau Mutua, about the compensation of victims of protests.
During the annual Law Society of Kenya (LSK) meeting held in Kwale County on Friday, August 15, 2025, the two leaders met and exchanged pleasantries.
During his speech at the meeting, Kalonzo urged leaders in public service not to abandon their legal practice, saying he has been active for the last 46 years.
Legal practice
“I have had my practice certificate for the last 46 years, including when I served as our country’s 10th vice president between 2008 and 2013,” Kalonzo said.
“I would want to advise those of us in public service: Please don’t give up your practice; that is your fallback position; even if you become an advisor like my friend Makau,” he joked.
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Mutua and Kalonzo clashed over who should be tasked with overseeing the compensation of protest victims.
In a lengthy statement, Mutua explained that, contrary to Kalonzo and Wamalwa’s stance that the government cannot be impartial in the compensation plan, he insisted that transitional justice mechanisms are always handled by governments.
Mutua, who was appointed by Ruto to lead the team, cited the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which he maintained was set up to tackle what transpired under apartheid rule.
Clash on compensation mechanism
“I have seen a statement by my friends Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa claiming that the Government of Kenya cannot establish a compensation mechanism for victims of protests and riots. They couldn’t be more wrong. Transitional justice mechanisms are always done by governments,” Mutua’s statement read in part.
Makau Mutua challenged Kalonzo and Wamalwa to join hands in responding to the victims.
“I suggest that my two learned brothers —Musyoka and Wamalwa — find a better argument to oppose our noble efforts to heal the nation, or exercise their conscience and join us in the only viable path for responding to the victims, their families, and loved ones. Not everything must be subjected to cheap and toxic politics,” Mutua emphasised.
The opposition, which has been vocal in advocating for compensation, said the government is responsible and cannot be trusted to oversee the exercise.
“Through the shoot-to-kill and shoot-in-the-leg orders, can they be the ones responsible for redress and compensation of their own victims of police brutality? A wolf cannot decide the matters of cow crow. Fisi hawezi kusimamia kesi ya mbuzi,” Kalonzo told the press on Saturday, August 9, 2025.