Justice Beyond Compensation: Protecting Kenya’s Youth

The High Court’s recent order directing the government to set aside KSh105 million for victims of torture, enforced disappearances and abductions linked to Kenya’s anti-Finance Bill protests marks an important step towards justice and accountability. The court’s intervention also comes amid concerns that some reported victims were excluded from the government’s compensation process.

The ruling goes beyond financial compensation. It highlights the importance of protecting the rights of young people to peacefully express themselves, participate in civic affairs and hold institutions accountable. The 2024 Finance Bill protests demonstrated the significant role Kenya’s youth play in shaping national conversations and influencing public policy.

For the Learning for Tomorrow Foundation, this development reinforces the importance of empowering young people with the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in society. Through its focus on quality education, digital skills, creativity, innovation and inclusion, the Foundation seeks to equip young people to become informed, confident and responsible citizens.

Education should therefore extend beyond classrooms. Young people need civic awareness, critical-thinking skills and digital literacy to understand their rights, engage constructively in public discourse and contribute to peaceful solutions to societal challenges.

As Kenya continues to address the legacy of the protests, justice must go beyond compensation. It must also involve accountability, healing, civic education and meaningful youth participation in building the country's future.

Empowering young people today means creating a Kenya where their voices are heard, their rights are protected and their ideas can contribute to a better tomorrow.