Oburu Oginga Urges Police to Protect Peaceful Gen Z Protesters Ahead of Anniversary Demonstrations
ODM leader Oburu Oginga has called on security agencies to safeguard peaceful demonstrators during the planned Gen Z anniversary protests scheduled for Thursday, urging police officers to uphold constitutional freedoms and protect citizens exercising their democratic rights.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday after receiving a briefing from the victims’ compensation panel chaired by Professor Makau Mutua, Oburu said law enforcement officers should view protesters as citizens deserving protection rather than adversaries of the state.
His appeal comes amid heightened anticipation over the nationwide demonstrations, which are expected to mark the anniversary of last year’s Gen Z-led protests that shook the country and sparked widespread debate over governance, police conduct and accountability.
“Come out peacefully and demonstrate, and give notice to the police so that police can give you protection,” Oburu said.
The veteran politician emphasized that both protesters and police officers must operate within the law to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred previous demonstrations.
His remarks came only hours after the government announced the commencement of compensation payments to the first group of victims affected during past protests.
Reflecting on Kenya’s long struggle for democracy and political reforms, Oburu said many citizens had paid a heavy price through injuries, suffering and loss of life.
“I can tell you, people have suffered. People were injured; people died. People died while we were there,” he said.
The ODM leader defended the ongoing compensation programme, arguing that the payments should not be interpreted as placing a monetary value on human life but rather as an acknowledgement by the state that injustices had occurred.
“When a government has recognised that there were some wrongs done to Kenyans and they have agreed to budget for it and pay it out, it is like a little token,” Oburu explained.
He further credited former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with championing the compensation initiative during engagements with President William Ruto, saying the matter formed part of the broad-based government’s 10-point agenda.
According to Oburu, the compensation programme should be viewed as the beginning of a broader process aimed at addressing grievances arising from police brutality and political violence rather than the final solution.
He also appealed to Kenyans not to discourage victims from accepting the payments currently being offered.
Meanwhile, authorities have maintained that demonstrations must comply with constitutional and legal requirements, including notifying police in advance. Security agencies argue that prior notice enables officers to provide adequate protection and coordinate security arrangements effectively.
As the country prepares for the anniversary protests, Oburu urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and avoid any actions that could trigger violence or destruction.
“Please don’t carry stones, don’t carry rungus, don’t carry knives, don’t carry machetes. Come out peacefully and demonstrate,” he said.
Professor Makau Mutua, who chairs the victims’ compensation panel, confirmed that the compensation process is already underway.
“We want to state that the compensation process kicked off yesterday and is still ongoing,” Mutua said.
He stressed that the payments are intended to recognise the suffering endured by victims and their families rather than assign a financial value to human life.
The planned Gen Z anniversary demonstrations are expected to attract significant public attention as Kenyans reflect on the events that transformed the country’s political landscape and intensified calls for accountability, justice and reforms within state institutions.
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