Editor's Review

"This compensation will extend to the families of the many whose bodies were discovered here in Rive Yala and other victims of extrajudicial disappearances."

President William Ruto has announced that the government will compensate families of the victims whose bodies were found in River Yala.

Ruto issued the directive on Wednesday, October 7, during the dedication of the Raila Odinga mausoleum at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi.

He stated that the late Raila Odinga strongly agitated for compensation for victims of protest and extrajudicial killings, and as such, he was committed to realising the goal.

The President added that so far, the government has committed Ksh2 billion towards the compensation, and that verified claims have already been settled.

"This compensation will extend to the families of the many whose bodies were discovered here in Rive Yala and other victims of extrajudicial disappearances," he stated,

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A file photo of President William Ruto

Prof Makau Mutua, the chairperson of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests in Kenya, welcomed the Head of State's directive.

He termed it a historic first and a commitment to justice for the families of the victims of the gruesome murders tied to River Yala.

"In a historic first, President Ruto extends compensation to the scores of victims of the River Yala gruesome killings and reaffirms the state’s commitment for justice for those with claims of unlawful disappearances. Let justice flow down like a torrent from the mountains," Mutua wrote.

Earlier, Ruto questioned Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i's strong agitation for human rights, yet he still had not answered questions on the River Yala massacre.

He told Matiang'i that before he lectured him, he needed to answer questions on the multiple bodies of Kenyans found dumped in River Yala during his tenure as Interior Boss.

The President added that before the Jubilee Party Presidential hopeful calls for a memorial for the Gen Z killed in the June 25, 2024, protests, he should consider doing one for the River Yala victims.

" Before you start giving us lectures, when will you do a memorial for them?" Ruto posed.