Victims of Police brutality linked to the 2024 protests in Kenya have threatened renewed demonstrations, accusing the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) of excluding hundreds of survivors from compensation processes. The group, speaking through the Mathare Social Justice Centre, warned on Monday, June 22, 2026, that they could stage protests at KNCHR headquarters if their grievances are not addressed.
They argue that existing compensation guidelines set by KNCHR and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have effectively disqualified many victims, despite the availability of medical records and other supporting evidence.
Some survivors claim they possess documentation of injuries sustained from tear gas, police beatings and gunfire, but have been unable to meet requirements such as witness testimonies, with many citing fear of retaliation as a barrier to compliance. Activists also allege that in some instances, police stations refused to record complaints at the time of incidents, complicating efforts to verify claims and weakening eligibility for compensation.
KNCHR has reportedly documented nearly 2,000 claims, with 1,101 approved for compensation covering violations including loss of life, torture, sexual violence and enforced disappearances. However, affected individuals say there is insufficient transparency regarding beneficiaries, payment amounts and disbursement timelines.
The victims are demanding the full publication of beneficiary lists, clearer eligibility criteria, and greater openness in the compensation process. They are also calling for criminal accountability for officers implicated in abuses, insisting that financial compensation alone is not sufficient to deter future violations.
Their concerns come as the government prepares to begin disbursing part of a Ksh2 billion compensation fund earmarked for victims of human rights violations linked to protests between 2017 and 2024, with distributions expected to commence this week.
The renewed tensions emerge ahead of planned commemorative demonstrations marking the anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests scheduled for June 25.