- Families of protest victims plan a peaceful march in Nairobi
- The march begins at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9 am
- Participants will carry flowers and the national flag
- Families cite delayed justice and lack of compensation
Families who lost loved ones during Kenya’s protest crackdowns have announced a peaceful march in Nairobi, describing it as a call for justice rather than a protest.
The march is scheduled to start at 9:00 am from Jeevanjee Gardens, with participants planning to carry flowers and the Kenyan flag. Organisers say the action is grounded in their constitutional right to assemble and petition authorities formally.
In a public notice, the families expressed anger and disappointment over what they described as slow justice and unfulfilled promises. This comes months after President William Ruto announced a framework in August to compensate victims of police violence dating back to 2017.
They pointed out that 547 days have passed since the killing of Rex Masai, the first reported death during the 2024 protests against proposed tax hikes. To date, no police officer has been held accountable for his death.
Kelvin Simba, whose brother Mike Brian Kasaine was among those killed, cited findings by the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) that paint a troubling picture.
According to the report, three out of every five extrajudicial killings during the protest period involved gunshot wounds from behind, suggesting that many victims were unarmed and fleeing when they were shot.
The families said they feel overlooked, noting that while the President has met various groups, those mourning lost children have not been given an audience — a situation they say is especially painful as Christmas approaches.
“We march in solidarity with survivors left paralysed or disabled,” the notice read. The organisers have also requested a police escort to ensure safety during the march.
Kenya’s wave of demonstrations began in 2024 over the controversial Finance Bill, before resurfacing in 2025 with renewed anger over police brutality and economic pressure.
Human rights groups say more than 100 people have died during the protests, with continued accusations that security forces used excessive force against civilians.
The planned march highlights ongoing demands for accountability in a country where rights organisations have repeatedly documented extrajudicial killings and torture linked to protest suppression.
For the families, the march serves as a poignant reminder that grief has not faded and justice remains elusive.
