Kakamega, Kenya — September 27, 2025 (EAT).

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala has criticized recent government efforts to compensate victims of protests, arguing that payouts without accountability are insufficient and that many abuses remain uninvestigated.

The Latest

Speaking at a public forum in Kakamega, Malala said: “Victims do not just want money — they want justice. Compensating them without uncovering who ordered violence or punishing perpetrators is a disservice.”

He challenged officials to launch independent investigations into police misconduct, extra judicial acts and state violence that accompanied recent demonstrations in several counties.

Context & Significance

• In recent months, the government announced compensation packages for civilians injured or harmed during protests, as part of a larger reconciliation and public-relations push.

• However, many citizens and human rights groups have expressed skepticism, saying the payments amount to a form of “quiet settlement” that glosses over structural impunity.

• Malala’s comments tap into wider calls for transitional justice mechanisms, such as truth commissions, prosecutorial reviews, and damaged relationship repairs between state and society.

Implications

• Accountability pressure: The government might be pressured to publish investigation reports, criminal charges, or judicial reviews.

• Public confidence: If compensation is perceived as slush money without remedy, it may erode trust in state redress mechanisms.

• Political leverage: Opposition actors may use the issue to rally protests further, framing the government as paying lip service.

• Legal precedent: The demand reinforces theories that victim rights include both material compensation and non-material rights such as dignity, restitution, and redress.