The Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi, has reaffirmed the government’s position to compensate victims of anti-government protests.
Speaking over the weekend during a fundraising to support the construction of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church- South West Nyanza, Mbadi emphasised that the initiative, agreed upon by President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is a first of its kind in Africa and marks a significant step toward national reconciliation.
The CS clarified that the programme will also include compensation for police officers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.
Addressing concerns raised by opposition leaders over funding, Mbadi cited Article 223 of the Constitution, which gives him the power as Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning to allocate funds as needed.
“We have a need to compensate people who have suffered since 2017 from the anti-government protests, and those who are criticizing this noble idea are not sincere,” said Mbadi.
Opposition leaders, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, have been questioning the legal framework of the compensation agenda, which is intended to compensate victims from January 1, 2017, to July 31, 2025.
The CS said he will exercise the authority given to him through the constitution and make money available to make sure the affected Kenyans benefit from the funds.
President William Ruto appointed his Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights Prof Makau Mutua Principal Coordinator of the State Intervention and Compensation Framework.
Mutua will work together with the Office of the President, the Office of the Attorney General, the Treasury and the Ministry of Interior, as well as other relevant state agencies, to ensure that the compensation process is concluded within 120 days.
By Makokha Khaoya
