By Our Correspondent
Homa Bay- Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has reignited calls for justice and national reconciliation by urging the Kenyan government to compensate the families of young people who were killed or injured during the 2024 anti-tax protests.
Speaking during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, Odinga maintained that, while President William Ruto’s recent apology to the youth was a commendable start, it must be followed by meaningful action.
“It is a commendable first step toward reconciliation,” Odinga stated. “However, many were injured, and others lost their lives. The government must compensate the families of those who died and those injured to bring closure to this chapter of our national history.”
The 2024 protests, largely led by disillusioned youth, erupted across several cities in opposition to what many perceived as a punitive tax regime. The demonstrations faced a heavy police response, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities, incidents that remain under investigation but have yet to see meaningful accountability.
Odinga’s remarks come on the heels of the National Prayer Breakfast, where President Ruto extended an olive branch to the youth and admitted to government missteps. “To our children, if there is any misstep, we apologize. We want to build a relationship that will make our country great,” Ruto said.
However, critics argue that while the President’s contrition is welcome, it fails to address the core grievances or provide closure to victims’ families. Odinga emphasized that Kenya’s progress since gaining independence in 1963 has been anchored in unity and justice, cautioning the leadership against taking national cohesion for granted.
“We want Kenyans to live in peace and unity,” he said, calling on the administration to make deliberate efforts toward healing and national cohesion. As Kenya marks 62 years of self-rule, the unresolved assault cases and lingering pain from the 2024 protests serve as a stark reminder of the need for institutional reform and respect for human rights.
Odinga’s call for compensation increases pressure on the Ruto administration to move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver tangible justice. Whether this will materialize remains to be seen, but for many families, the wait for answers and accountability continues.
