Opposition pushes for Ksh.10M minimum payout for protest victims

The United Opposition wants President William Ruto to re-evaluate proposed compensation packages for the victims of protest deaths and injuries.

The leaders, who spoke in Kwale and Kirinyaga counties on Friday, presented what they termed a solid alternative ahead of next year's polls, calling out the government for failing to manage the rising cost of living.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also accused the government of sidelining teachers through a medical scheme he said was not comprehensive.

“Hiyo minerals iko mlima hii, inatosha kujenga mashule Kwale…iweke barabara…iweke maji kwa kila boma na stima…Kasongo na Joho wamenyakua mlima hii…wameshikana na wachina, wanauza hiyo minerals, hiyo pesa wanajisaidia,” said the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader.

“Hakuna dawa, hakuna reagents ya lab, sasa walimu wakienda hospitali hakuna dawa. Sasa muamke muweke mgomo museme mtolewe kwa SHA mrudushwe kwa MINET.”

Critiquing the government’s compensation framework targeting protest victims, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka faulted the framework as replete with inadequacies which make it difficult to match lives lost at the hands of authorities.

“Kwa hivyo kusema milioni tatu ni kama kudharau maisha ya watoto wa Kenya. Kwa hivyo nasema nikiwa hapa Kwale, minimum iwe ni milioni kumi.”

The hike in fuel prices tipped to push up the cost of living was also an issue in focus for the opposition.

DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa said: :Mafuta imepanda, hapa nauli imepanda haijapanda? Hata Pipeline yetu ameuzia Waganda. Ameuzia Museveni Pipeline yenu ya Kenya. Na ameambia Museveni ati anunue Pipeline, alafu mimi nikuje nikujengee refinery.”

in Kirinyaga County, PLP leader Martha Karua outlined how the cost of corruption has denied Kenyans services, vowing to overhaul policies if elected President in 2027

“Ile shida tuko nayo hapa Kenya ni ya ufisadi na kutojali sheria. Pesa yetu inatumika vibaya na mabwenyenye. Serikali ya Martha Karua na PLP itageuza hiyo yote kuona kwamba sheria ya Kenya inafuatwa,” she said.