Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has made new demands to President William Ruto, calling for the compensation of families who lost their loved ones during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
Speaking on Saturday, June 1, during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Homa Bay, Odinga urged President Ruto to take immediate steps to compensate victims of the violent protests.
He emphasized that although the president’s recent apologies were appreciated, they were only the beginning of a much larger process aimed at healing and reconciling the country.
Odinga, who has recently teamed up with Ruto’s administration following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), used his brief six-minute speech to express hope that this new collaboration would help the nation move forward from the painful events of last year.
“During the National Prayer Breakfast, both you and the Speaker offered apologies. That was a good start. But beyond the apologies, we must deal with the consequences.
People were injured and others died. Their families are still grieving, and they need compensation. This is the only way we can fully close that chapter and allow Kenyans to live in peace,” Raila said.
These remarks come just days after President Ruto, during the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi, offered a public apology to Tanzanians and to Kenyan youth (popularly known as Gen Z).
His apology followed a sermon by American preacher Rickey Allen Bolden, who urged leaders to embrace reconciliation and national healing.
Despite the friendly tone of the occasion and their recent political agreement, Odinga did not shy away from raising concerns.
He cautioned the president against the possible reintroduction of the provincial administration system, saying it would reverse the significant progress made through devolution. He described devolution as a crucial achievement that must be preserved.
Odinga also called on Parliament to urgently resolve the ongoing disagreement over revenue sharing between the national and county governments. He warned that if left unaddressed, the dispute could weaken county governments and harm service delivery at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, Odinga’s continuous calls for justice for Gen Z protesters and Azimio supporters who were harmed during past demonstrations have so far gone unanswered by President Ruto.
During the Madaraka Day celebration, the president once again chose not to respond to the demands, a silence that has been consistent in his recent public speeches.
In 2023, Kenya experienced a wave of widespread protests organized by the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya coalition and led by Odinga.
The demonstrations, which took place between March and August, were sparked by the opposition’s rejection of the 2022 election results and growing anger over the rising cost of living.
The protests led to chaos, with dozens of lives reportedly lost, injuries sustained, and businesses disrupted, leaving lasting damage to the country’s economy and social stability.
Less than a year later, in 2024, fresh protests broke out in cities and towns across Kenya as thousands of young people marched against the new tax proposals in the Finance Bill.
The demonstrations turned violent after police responded with force, resulting in deadly confrontations. Several protesters, mostly youth, were killed, and many others were injured.
As the country marks another Madaraka Day, Odinga’s message was clear: true reconciliation must include justice, acknowledgment of past wrongs, and support for affected families.
His demands place renewed pressure on President Ruto to go beyond words and take meaningful action to unite the nation and support those still suffering from the aftermath of political unrest.
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