Treasury Outlines Plan to Fund Protest Victims’ Compensation Scheme

Nairobi, August 15, 2025 — Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has detailed how the government intends to finance compensation for Kenyans injured or killed during recent political demonstrations, assuring that both civilians and security officers will benefit.

Speaking in Nairobi, Mbadi said the payouts would be anchored in Article 223 of the Constitution, which empowers the Treasury to reallocate funds for urgent and unforeseen needs.

Committee to Design Reparations

The CS confirmed that a committee chaired by legal scholar Prof. Makau Mutua has been given 120 days to design the framework for reparations. The task force will propose mechanisms for:

• Direct financial compensation to victims and families.

• Non-monetary reparations, including official acknowledgment, memorialisation, and guarantees of non-repetition.

Calls for Broader Approach

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) welcomed the initiative but urged the government to ensure reparations go beyond cash payments. The commission argued that the programme must be about restoring dignity, accountability, and institutional reforms to prevent future violations.

Commitment to Transparency

Mbadi pledged that the process would be carried out transparently and fairly, stressing that respect for human rightswould guide the disbursement of funds.

The move follows weeks of heated debate over state accountability for deaths and injuries during protests, with the compensation plan seen as a test of the government’s willingness to reconcile with affected communities while maintaining public order.