Kenya has joined the world in commemorating the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning gross human rights violations and the dignity of victims.
The United Nations proclaimed March 24 as a day to remember victims who suffered human rights violations while also promoting the importance of truth and justice for survivors.
In Kenya, this day holds special significance as it honors those who have faced historical injustices in the post-independence period, including victims of post-election violence (2007-08, 2017, 2022) and participants in the Gen-Z anti-finance bill protests of 2024.
Human Rights and Transnational Justice Advocate Tina Alai described the day as a crucial moment for recognizing the truth about survivors' experiences and ensuring justice and reparations.
"We have seen victims who bear the scars of torture associated with election-related violence, women who have faced sexual violence but are yet to be compensated," she stated.
She expressed concern over the lack of timely action in addressing the grievances of survivors and urged state actors to take concrete steps toward reparations.
"The state has made many commitments regarding reparations for victims and the commitments are yet to be honoured. We stand together with survivors on this day as we urge for their reparations," she emphasized.
Alai highlighted the failure to implement the Sh10 billion Restorative Justice Fund, announced by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 26, 2015.
The fund was meant to provide remedies for the survivors of the 2007-08 post-election violence (PEV).
However, 10 years later, the survivors are yet to receive the funds, as it has neither been operationalized nor disbursed.
"Furthermore, the 2013 report of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission and its comprehensive recommendations on reparations remain unimplemented since being handed over to the former president," she noted.
According to reports by CSOs, in 2017, the Office of the Attorney General with support from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and Kenya Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation (KTJN), developed the first set of regulations and a draft policy to guide the disbursement of the Restorative Justice Fund.
The CSOs stated that the regulations were to be forwarded to the National Treasury and National Assembly, but the process has since stalled.
The CSOs stated that succeeding governments have continued to pledge their commitments to address and provide reparations but nothing much has happened.
As calls grow for political actors to implement accountability policies and allocate resources to political violence survivors, this day serves as a solemn reminder to honour those who lost their lives, those displaced, and those who continue to bear the scars of political turmoil.
