Over 6,000 families are still waiting for compensation, nearly two decades after the 2007-2008 post-election violence tore their lives apart.
The families, organized under the IDP Supportive Initiative (IDPSI), have petitioned President William Ruto to intervene in their long-delayed compensation.
They want access to the Ksh6 billion set for victims of the violence that left over 1,000 people dead and displaced more than 100,000.
The Ksh6 billion for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) compensation was allocated in the 2016/2017 National Budget, but its actual release and disbursement to all beneficiaries have been a protracted and legally contested process.
In an event dubbed IDP for ICC by IDP Supportive Initiative (IDPSI) on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, they appealed to President Willan Ruto to into their compensation issue which has dragged for years.
"Today we have come here from five counties. We have come here to celebrate our President William Samoei Ruto who has thought of us, the victims who have been through a lot since 2007," said one of the petitioners.
The families submitted their names to State House back in 2008, hoping for relief. Eighteen years later, they're still empty-handed despite a court directive ordering their compensation.
The High Court recommended an out-of-court settlement on the Ksh6 billion payout, but implementation has stalled in 2010.
The 2007-2008 crisis erupted after the disputed presidential election results between then-President Mwai Kibaki and his opponent Raila Odinga.
International election observers flagged the results as fraudulent, sparking ethnic clashes across the country. An estimated 1,133 to 1,500 people lost their lives, while between 180,000 and 600,000 were internally displaced.
Compensation for victims has been inconsistent, with no comprehensive government-led scheme established immediately after the violence.
In July 2025, the government made a historic first payment of Ksh16 million to four survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
However thousands of other victims remain in limbo, struggling to rebuild their lives without the promised support.
"These problems have made our children not go to school, and if we are given that money we will be able to support them," another petitioner explained.
The families are now banking on President Ruto's intervention to finally receive the compensation they've waited nearly two decades to access.
