Onyonka calls for lawful compensation of protest victims
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 10, 2025Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has joined the national conversation on President William Ruto’s recent announcement to compensate families of victims who died during protests.
In a statement posted on his social media platform on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Onyonka acknowledged the importance of the president’s gesture but stressed that compensation must follow legal procedures.
“Compensation for our children who have been killed – the idea itself, I thank the president; you have done very well, but that is not how you do it.” Onyonka stated.
He called on the government to provide a clear list of all those who lost their lives as well as the identities of those responsible for their deaths.
Onyonka emphasised the need for prosecutive justice, urging that the perpetrators be taken to court and held accountable before any compensation is discussed. He proposed that after the names of the victims and offenders are made public, Parliament should convene to deliberate and negotiate fair compensation for the families affected.
“Give us the names of all our children who were killed, then tell us who killed them. Let us have prosecutive justice by making sure the people who killed them are taken to court and prosecuted. Once you give out those names, let us sit and discuss in parliament and negotiate how much these families are going to be compensated,” he stated.
The framework
This comes days after President William Ruto announced the establishment of a special framework to compensate victims of demonstrations and public protests, including civilians and security officers who lost their lives or suffered injuries since 2017.
The presidential statement, issued through X on Friday, August 8, 2025, seeks to provide accountability, redress, and reparations for those affected by violent protests and riots. The move is anchored in the Constitution’s commitment to balancing civic responsibility with the exercise of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, as outlined in the Bill of Rights.
Compensation to cover incidents since 2017
According to the statement, the government recognises that while Kenya’s democratic space has expanded since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, some demonstrations have regrettably turned violent, resulting in loss of life and bodily harm.
“There is a compelling national interest in establishing a framework for accountability, redress and reparations for victims of demonstrations and public protests, including civilians and security personnel,” it read.