President William Ruto has acknowledged that Kenya’s handling of public demonstrations has for years been marred by violence, rights violations, and loss of life, vowing sweeping reforms and compensation for victims of human rights abuses during protests and picketing.
Taking to his Facebook page on June 15, 2026 after receiving a report from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said successive governments had failed to decisively address the recurring pattern of excessive force and destruction that often follows public demonstrations.
“For far too long, whenever Kenyans have exercised their constitutional and democratic rights to assemble, picket, demonstrate and petition, the outcome has too often been marked by violence, injury, loss of life, destruction of property, bitterness, and division,” Ruto said.
Violation of rights
He further acknowledged that in some cases, security agencies have responded to protests with excessive force, leading to further violations of rights and, in tragic instances, the deaths of innocent citizens.
“Despite decades of condemnation by successive leaders, we have not fundamentally resolved this challenge, largely because it is neither simple nor easy to do,” Ruto added.
The President said his administration has now “chosen to act,” arguing that the cost of continued inaction is far greater than the difficult reforms required to address the crisis.
Inside the KNCHR report
The KNCHR report outlines a Framework for Compensation and Reparations for Victims of Human Rights Violations During Protests and Picketing, a proposal the government says will guide redress for affected individuals and families.
Ruto noted that the initiative forms part of a broader national reform agenda initiated through the National Dialogue Committee in 2023, which brought together the government and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, aimed at addressing long-standing grievances and strengthening national unity.
“This marks the beginning of an important national journey… with the shared objective of addressing long-standing grievances, strengthening our democracy, and fostering national unity and reconciliation,” he said.
He assured Kenyans that the government will fully implement the KNCHR recommendations, reaffirming commitment to protect constitutional rights.
“Our duty is not only to protect these freedoms, but also to ensure that they are exercised in an environment where human dignity is respected, lives are protected, and justice is upheld,” he said.
