By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 15 June 2026 - Busia County Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo has called for a rigorous vetting process for beneficiaries of the newly established KSh 2 billion compensation fund for victims of police brutality, warning that fraudsters could exploit the programme at the expense of genuine victims and bereaved families.
Speaking amid growing public debate over accountability for victims of recent protests, Omanyo said the compensation package must reach those who suffered injuries, loss of life and other forms of harm during demonstrations.
"Compensation is there; recently in the budget they have put two billion. That is not the President's money. It is public money and we must ensure that thieves do not come to benefit again," she said.
The legislator expressed concern that individuals with no connection to the protests were allegedly positioning themselves to receive payouts, potentially locking out deserving beneficiaries.
"You will find a person who doesn't even know the smell of tear gas, has never been shot by a bullet, whose child has never died, but they are already on the list," she said.
Omanyo urged the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to take a leading role in verifying victims and overseeing the integrity of the compensation process. According to her, a transparent and independently verified register would help restore public confidence and prevent abuse of the fund.
Her remarks come as families affected by protest-related violence continue to demand justice, accountability and support from the state.
The lawmaker said the issue is particularly painful for Busia County, which she claimed has recorded a significant number of casualties linked to recent demonstrations.
"Busia is topping the list. How do I feel when I read a name and against it, it is Busia County?" she posed.
Beyond compensation, Omanyo launched a scathing attack on what she described as excessive use of force by law enforcement officers.
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She challenged President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to take decisive action to halt police killings and ensure officers operate within the law.
"We do not want to witness any other life going down through police brutality. The police of this nation, your work is to protect, not to kill us," she said.
The MP cited the case of a local youth identified as "Papa", alleging that he was fatally shot despite posing no threat to officers at the time.
"Any police officer who shoots a young man who has already surrendered is wrong. Papa had surrendered. Papa was running away and they shot him on the back," she claimed.
Her comments add to mounting pressure on security agencies to account for allegations of excessive force during public demonstrations. Human rights groups and civil society organisations have repeatedly called for independent investigations into deaths and injuries linked to protest policing.
As debate shifts from accountability to compensation, the central challenge facing authorities will be ensuring that the KSh 2 billion fund reaches legitimate victims while maintaining public trust in the process.
For affected families, compensation may provide financial relief, but many continue to insist that justice and accountability remain the ultimate test of the state's commitment to protecting citizens' rights.