Raila says compensation of victims of state brutality is crucial for national reconciliation
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Leader Raila Odinga on Sunday, June 1, 2025, reiterated calls to compensate the victims of state excesses, terming it as a critical step in achieving national reconciliation.
Speaking while delivering his address at the 62nd Madaraka Day celebration in Homa Bay, Raila implored President William Ruto to compensate the affected families during the anti-government demos of 2022 and the Gen Z demos during the June 2024 Anti-Finance Bill.
Compensate families
“Two years ago, we were on the streets, and also last year, the Gen Zs were on the streets. During the prayer breakfast recently, apologies were being made, which is wonderful as a first step towards reconciliation. However, there are issues of people who were injured and who died during that time. I want to say we should compensate the families of those who were injured and died. So that we can have closure to this chapter of our nation’s history. We want Kenyans to live in peace and unity,” he said.
is remarks come a day after Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP- K) leader Eugene Wamalwa vehemently chided Ruto over his recent apology to Kenyan Gen Zs.
Wamalwa on Ruto’s Apology
Speaking during a rally in Matuu, Machakos County, on Friday, May 30, 2025, Wamalwa said the president must first acknowledge his administration’s failure to protect young people before issuing any apology.
Wamalwa further challenged Ruto to use his ongoing visit to Kisumu as an opportunity to issue a personal apology for the bodies recorded at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital, which he implied were linked to the government’s handling of protests and civil unrest.
“Start by apologising in Nyanza Leo na ukubali maiti waliojaa Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital, vijana gen Z, ni wewe na polisi wako uliwaua. Huezi sema una apologise bila kukubali makosa yako, we must have truth, then justice before we have an apology and reconciliation. So lets have a truth and justice committee and then we have an apology,” Wamalwa said.
Wamalwa’s remarks came amid growing political tensions and rising youth dissatisfaction, as opposition figures intensify their calls for greater accountability from the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The government has remained measured in giving progress reports on the compensation of families that lost their loved ones in the demos.
