Why Won’t the Government Compensate Protest Victims?
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that the government has no budgetary allocation to compensate individuals whose businesses or property were looted or destroyed during the June 25 protests. In his statement to the press, Murkomen placed the responsibility on Parliament, urging lawmakers to craft legislation that clearly outlines how compensation should work and introduces tougher penalties for protest organisers whose events result in destruction.
“Unfortunately, Parliament has not allocated a budget for compensating those whose properties were looted in such situations and we don’t have any allocation as a government to do so,” Murkomen said.
He added that if public funds were to be used for compensation in every case of protest-related damage, then protest organisers must also be held liable. “If we were to provide a budget that would compensate people all the time whenever properties are looted, then the best law is that protest organisers should bear the greatest responsibility.”
What Kind of Law Does Murkomen Propose for Protests?
Murkomen proposed legal reforms to better regulate public protests by defining when, where, and how they should occur. He cited Mombasa as a positive example of controlled and peaceful demonstrations. “That is why we insist on a law defining where the organisers will hold their demos, what time, and where. Mombasa is an example of how public protests should occur,” he stated.
Although no public compensation is on the table, Murkomen said that leaders may personally contribute as a sign of solidarity to those who suffered losses.
What Damage Was Reported and Who Was Involved?
Murkomen blamed much of the destruction on “goons” allegedly ferried into Nairobi from counties like Murang’a, Nyeri, and Kirinyaga. He claimed these groups caused widespread chaos late into the night and looted from innocent civilians.
“The destruction went all the way to midnight. Goons were brought from Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, and were left in town, others on Thika Road and on their way home, they went causing havoc and mayhem. The police were overwhelmed,” he said.
“It has not been easy when such many goons, criminals, thugs, and robbers are concentrated in one area, collected by politicians.”
According to Murkomen, the damage was extensive, with supermarkets, electronics stores, and restaurants among the businesses hit. The estimated losses run into the billions, marking one of the most destructive protests Kenya has seen in recent history.
By Lucky Anyanje
