MP Babu Owino demands Sh23 million minimum compensation for families of protest victims
The MP argued that compensation should take into account the potential lifetime earnings of the victims, most of whom were in their 20s.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has called on the government to provide substantial compensation to families of Kenyans killed during recent protests, insisting that anything less would fail to recognise the true value of the lives lost.
Speaking in an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, Owino argued that compensation should take into account the potential lifetime earnings of the victims, most of whom were in their 20s.
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“The only mistake these young people made was to stand up against the high cost of living, overtaxation, unemployment, and the reduction of university fees. Yet, their lives were destroyed, and their families plunged into grief. A life can never truly be compensated, but we must ensure their families are treated fairly,” he said.
The MP explained that if a typical victim, aged 25, had lived to the age of 90, they would have had 65 years of productivity ahead. Using a baseline monthly income of Sh30,000, he calculated that each victim could have earned at least Sh23.4 million over their lifetime.
“Assuming a minimum monthly income of Sh30,000, that is Sh360,000 per year. Multiply this by the remaining 65 years, and the minimum compensation per family should be Sh23.4 million, with some cases possibly exceeding Sh100 million,” Owino stated.
He emphasised that the proposed figures aim to reflect the economic loss suffered by families due to the untimely deaths of their loved ones, while also sending a message that the government values human life. Owino’s remarks come amid widespread debate on the handling of protests and the accountability of security agencies in Kenya.
Githungiri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, however, expressed doubts over the government’s motives, saying she was not convinced that the compensation was intended to do good.
She described it as a possible cover-up, noting that inquiries into the incidents have not been fully exhausted and suggested that the move could be aimed at preparing for President William Ruto’s upcoming trip to the United States, where human rights concerns are expected to be raised.
The swearing-in of members of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests took place on Thursday, with Prof. Makau Mutua being sworn in as chairperson, and LSK President Faith Odhiambo as vice chairperson.
Other members taking oath include Kennedy Ogeto, Irungu Houghton, Dr. John Olukuru, Rev. Fr. Kennedy Barasa Simiyu, Dr. Linda Musumba, Dr. Duncan Ojwang’, Naini Lankas, Dr. Francis Muraya, Juliet Chepkemei, Pius Metto, Raphael Anampiu, and John Maina. Technical Experts sworn in were Richard Barno, Dr. Duncan Okelo Ndeda, and Churchill Suba, while Jerusah Mwaathime, Dr. Raphael Ngétich, and Daki Guyo were appointed Joint Secretaries.
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