Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is speaking up for young Kenyans who suffered during the 2024 anti-tax protests. During this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations held at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, he made a powerful call: compensate the families of the youth who were killed or injured during the demonstrations.
Raila told the crowd that while recent apologies from political leaders are appreciated, they’re not enough. He was referring to the National Prayer Breakfast, where President William Ruto and others apologized for how things were handled.
“It is wonderful as a first step to reconciliation,” Raila said.
“But then there are people who were injured, and others died. We should do compensation to families of those who died and those injured so that we can have closure to this chapter of our national history.”
His message was clear: if Kenya is serious about moving forward, it must acknowledge the pain caused by the protests and offer real help to those affected. For Raila, peace and unity aren’t just slogans; they require action and accountability.
He also reminded everyone that Kenya’s growth since independence has only been possible through unity. Leaders, he said, need to keep that spirit alive if the country is to thrive in the future.
Meanwhile, President Ruto also addressed the nation during the same week, offering a heartfelt apology to the youth.
“To our children, if there is any misstep, we apologise,” the president said. “We want to build a relationship that will make our country great.”
But despite the words, many young people are still waiting for real justice. The violent events of the 2024 anti-tax protests, including reports of police brutality and unresolved assault cases, remain a dark cloud.
For the families who lost loved ones, and for those still healing from injuries, the road to peace can’t just be paved with apologies. As Raila emphasized, compensation and accountability are the next steps if Kenya hopes to truly heal.
By Lucky Anyanje
