Aasai

President William Rutos constitutional and human rights adviser, Prof. Makau Mutua, has apologised to the public on behalf of the government over the deaths and injuries witnessed during the recent historic General Z protests. Speaking on  on Wednesday night, Prof. Mutua described the events of 2024 and 2025 as "chaos," saying the clashes between citizens and police were not what the Constitution envisaged. 

The recently sworn-in chairman of the victims compensation panel indicated that the government regrets the dire consequences of the protests. "There is no doubt that 2024 and 2025 were a time of horrific events in this country. The events witnessed across the country were disturbing.

 We have seen conflicts with the law in terms of our Constitution," the citizen said. "This is sad, and I think all of us - some of us are fathers, some of us are brothers - when we see these activities happening, we hurt for our fellow citizens. We hurt for them. And we are human beings. We are all human beings, and so I just want to say, on behalf of everyone in this country, that we are all sad about what happened. It is true so far.

 We are all sad about what happened." On the issue of compensation, which has recently caused a stir with some Kenyans objecting, Prof. Mutua defended the governments plan to provide compensation to victims and families, saying it is part of the justice process. "I think if youve lost a loved one, you know how hard it is.

 So we all grieve. And the way we respond to that kind of trauma and that kind of loss is to show that we care as a country. I think people have talked about that compensation shouldn be the first thing we do. But you know very well that one of the most important things for a victim is to try to get their income back in terms of their income and lose it again in terms of their income again. economy," he explained. "And so the compensation that we will provide will provide that.

 And I submit to you that that is part of the matrix of justice, to give someone something that can give them a basis to rise economically. It is very important." Prof. Mutua, meanwhile, stressed that the government will ensure justice for those killed and also pursue accountability on both sides so that those who are found guilty face the law. "I think the investigation is being done as we speak, and as I said, where evidence is needed, we will refer the matter to the ODPP so that the people who committed the crime can be brought to justice," he noted.

 "And by the way, we e not just talking about those who committed heinous acts against citizens, we e also talking about holding accountable citizens who attacked law enforcement, we have to be hands-on here, because I think both sides suffered." The pardon comes more than a year after Gen Z-led protests across the country sparked by the controversial Finance Bill 2024,which proposed a steep increase in taxes on essential goods and services. The bill sparked weeks of protests in June and July, led largely by Kenyan youth mobilized through social media. Violent clashes, with security forces accused of using live ammunition, kidnappings and arbitrary arrests to quell the unrest, have left hundreds of protesters dead and others injured during the 2024 protests, forcing President William Ruto to withdraw the controversial bill.