Kenyan Families Demand Justice Two Years After Deadly Anti‑Government Protests
On Thursday, relatives of those killed during the June 2024 tax‑rise protests marched toward Nairobi’s Parliament House, calling for transparency in a government‑run compensation scheme and accountability for the security forces that opened fire on demonstrators. The demonstration was met with a heavy police presence, roadblocks, and the use of tear gas, underscoring the continued tension surrounding the incident.
Background: The June 2024 Protests and Their Aftermath
In June 2024, a finance bill proposing new taxes sparked nationwide unrest. Thousands of young Kenyans converged on Parliament, demanding that lawmakers reject the measure amid soaring living costs. Police opened fire outside the legislative building, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 people and dozens more injured, according to eyewitness accounts and subsequent investigations by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
The violence prompted President William Ruto to pledge a compensation package for victims’ families. In a televised address last week, he described the fund as “a government admission that harm has been caused” while stressing that it does not constitute an admission of guilt. The allocated amount totals US $15 million, intended to cover medical expenses, funeral costs, and livelihood support.
Thursday’s March: Police Response and Arrests
Families of the deceased, accompanied by opposition leaders and civil society activists, gathered early Thursday morning to submit a petition demanding:
- Full disclosure of the criteria used to award compensation;
- Prompt payment to all verified claimants;
- Prosecution of officers responsible for the shootings.
Police erected roadblocks on the major highways leading into Nairobi, effectively sealing off the city centre. The Parliament building was barricaded with barbed wire, and nearby shops remained shut as a precaution. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen announced that 355 individuals had been detained across Nairobi and other urban centres, labeling them “criminals” whose actions threatened business continuity and public order.
Journalists on the ground reported that many of those arrested appeared to be ordinary citizens — students, traders, and passersby — rather than organized agitators. Tear gas was deployed when a group of protesters attempted to deliver their petition to the main police station, prompting coughing and temporary dispersal of the crowd.
Opposition and Civil Society Voices
Several prominent opposition figures joined the march, including former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, former Justice Minister Martha Karua, and former Chief Justice David Maraga. They laid wreaths at the barricades and urged the government to expedite the compensation process.
Edith Wanjiku, whose 19‑year‑old son Ibrahim Kamau died after being shot in the neck, told the Associated Press that her family has yet to receive any payment despite submitting documentation to the state‑funded Kenya Human Rights Commission. “Only two out of ten families whose children were shot near Parliament that day have been compensated,” she said, questioning the transparency of the selection criteria.
Gillian Munyao, mother of Rex Masai, echoed the sentiment that financial redress cannot replace justice. “Arrest the killer cops — that’s my message to the government,” she declared, reflecting a broader call for accountability beyond monetary reparations.
Legal Developments and Official Statements
As of the latest update, three police officers have been formally charged in connection with the killings, a step welcomed by human rights groups but viewed by many families as insufficient given the scale of the tragedy. The compensation panel, chaired by Makau Mutua, asserted on Wednesday that the verification process is ongoing and that “every verified claim will be settled.”
President Ruto reiterated last week that the right to peaceful protest would be respected, but warned against any attempts to “shut down the country.” He emphasized that security forces would continue to protect schools, workplaces, and public infrastructure while maintaining order.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Prospects for Reconciliation
The events of Thursday illustrate the deepening divide between victims’ families seeking closure and a government wary of destabilizing the nation’s economy. Analysts from the Institute for Security Studies note that without a clear, publicly accessible compensation framework and credible investigations into police conduct, trust between the state and its citizens is likely to erode further.
For many Kenyans, the march was not merely about financial aid; it was a demand for recognition of loss, a call for institutional reform, and a reminder that the promise of justice must be accompanied by concrete, verifiable action.
