Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on President William Ruto’s administration to compensate families affected by the 2024 anti-government protests, saying it is a necessary step toward national healing and unity.
Speaking on Saturday during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held at Raila Odinga Stadium in Kisumu, the Azimio la Umoja leader welcomed recent gestures of reconciliation from top government officials but criticized the lack of concrete action.
“During the prayer breakfast recently, apologies were being made, which is wonderful as a first step towards reconciliation,” said Raila. “However, I want to say we should compensate the families of those who were injured and killed so that we can have closure to this chapter of our nation's history. We want Kenyans to live in peace and unity.”
Raila emphasized that while apologies from President Ruto and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula were commendable, they were insufficient without tangible redress for victims' families.
The 2024 anti-government protests, largely driven by opposition grievances over the high cost of living and governance concerns, led to dozens of deaths, injuries, and destruction of property in various parts of the country. Human rights groups have continued to demand accountability and justice for the victims.
Despite the renewed calls for compensation, President Ruto has yet to issue a public response addressing the matter. The government has also not indicated whether any plans are underway to assess damages or compensate victims' families.
Odinga's remarks come at a time when political leaders across the divide are pushing for dialogue and national cohesion amid growing public frustration over economic hardships.
“We cannot talk about moving forward without acknowledging and addressing the pain that many families continue to carry,” Raila said.
As the country marks Madaraka Day—a celebration of Kenya’s self-governance—attention now shifts to whether the government will act on Odinga’s appeal or maintain its silence on the issue.
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