Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed has defended the proposed Ksh2 billion compensation for victims of protests, criticizing a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders opposed to the initiative.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 22, Junet argued that compensating victims of political violence and protests has been a long-standing position of the ODM party dating back to 2007.
He noted that following the 2018 political handshake between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, the party consistently pushed for compensation for victims of the 2013 and 2017 post-election violence, although the government never implemented the proposal.
Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed. Photo: Courtesy.
The National Assembly Minority Leader maintained that leaders insisting compensation should only come after those responsible for the violence have been prosecuted were effectively delaying justice for victims and their families.
Junet also questioned the change in position by some ODM members, saying several of those currently opposing the compensation package had previously been among the strongest advocates for compensating victims of political violence.
According to him, some had even threatened to push the party out of government over the matter.
He further pointed to the government’s purchase of land to resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs) after the 2007/08 post-election violence, arguing that the programme amounted to compensation and was widely accepted despite ongoing efforts to pursue accountability.
Junet insisted that families affected by protests and political violence deserve financial compensation for the losses and suffering they endured, adding that supporting victims has always been consistent with ODM’s long-standing position.
