A group of community activists march holding a banner to honour survivors of sexual violence in Nairobi /FILE The government has paid Sh16 million in compensation to four survivors of post-election sexual violence, marking a historic first in the country's legal and human rights landscape.
The payment, made 13 years after the case was filed and nearly five years after a court ruling in their favour, is the first official reparation by the state for conflict-related sexual violence.
Confirming the development, a coalition of human rights organisations involved in the case welcomed the move as a long-overdue yet critical step toward justice.
They noted that the compensation, although only covering the principal amount with interest still pending, signals the beginning of state accountability for survivors of sexual violence.
“This moment is not just about financial redress, it is about recognition, healing, and affirming the dignity of survivors who have waited more than a decade to be heard,” reads a joint statement issued on July 18, 2025.
"...it sets a precedent that the state is obligated to effectively investigate, prosecute and provide reparation for conflict-related sexual violence."
The four beneficiaries are part of Petition 122 of 2013, a landmark case brought before the High Court by eight survivors of the 2007/08 post-election violence.
In its 2020 ruling, the court found that the government had failed to protect the petitioners and ordered compensation for the harm they endured.
One of the survivors, speaking after the payment was confirmed, said: “I thought I would die before receiving my court-ordered compensation. Many thanks to the government of Kenya for humanising me and for hearing our cry.”
The joint statement dated July 18 has been signed by the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and Utu Wetu Trust.
Others are the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), REDRESS Trust, Constitution Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), and The Global Survivors Fund.
Rights advocates say the move not only sets a legal precedent but also offers hope to countless other survivors still awaiting justice.
They have now called on the government to expedite payment to the remaining four petitioners and to implement broader reforms to prevent future violations.
The survivors, whose identities remain protected for their safety and dignity, expressed a mix of relief, gratitude, and emotion following the long-overdue compensation.
LGS said, "I thought I would die without seeing this money and justice being served. Thank you to the government of Kenya for finally listening to our cry."
PKK shared: "I am thankful to God. I now know that my child will go to school because of this money and I can hopefully access treatment easily.
CNR said: "Thank you so much to the team that has pushed this over the years. We thank God. It has not been easy."
JWM expressed joy: "I am so happy. God heard us. All the noise we made about this finally bore fruit. It was not in vain to go on TV. I have no words to express my joy."
