Siaya Governor James Orengo has criticised the government’s proposed compensation framework for victims of state-related violence, stating that the plan risks reducing human life to a monetary value instead of prioritising justice and accountability.

Speaking during a presser on Sunday, June 21, 2026, Orengo took issue with the suggested Ksh 3 million compensation for families of those killed during protests or related incidents, arguing that the amount is far below what courts typically award in civil claims.

“The way this issue of compensation is being handled, instead of accountability and justice being a paramount requirement, they’re putting a price,” Orengo said.

Price tag

He added that the approach effectively assigns a price tag on every death, warning that it undermines the principle of justice.

“A price tag on every death. If you go to court and you lose a person by way of an accident, or there’s a malicious prosecution, or a policeman kills somebody, and you go to a civil court and sue, you’re most likely going to get damages of 20 or 30 million shillings,” he said.

Orengo noted that in previous cases, courts have awarded substantial damages depending on circumstances, including unlawful detention and fatal accidents.

“I know some of them got away with 30 million shillings and 50 million shillings. I have represented people in courts… out of a traffic accident, not a fatal one, and they get away with 20 or 30 million shillings,” he added.

He further argued that the proposed payout of Ksh 3 million for loss of life, including cases such as that of a young man like Albert Ojwang, is insufficient.

“If they get about Ksh3 million for the loss of a young man like Ojwang, I don’t think that that is adequate compensation. In law, justice and accountability are also important. But in awarding compensation, that compensation should also be just,” Orengo said.

The governor maintained that while compensation is important, it must not replace accountability or be treated as a substitute for justice.