Coup victims may be compensated

By MOSES NJAGIH

 Senators now want all former detainees and those who were unfairly dismissed from employment in connection with the 1982 coup compensated by the Government.

 The motion seeks to have all victims of human rights abuses, those who were detained without trial and those killed through State repression tate be compensated.

 The motion by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale urges the Government to take a cue from recent High Court orders, which have awarded several former detainees millions in damages for torture and also come up with a compensation package for others who are yet to sue the Goverment.

 “Many of the victims of these atrocities either went mad or even died after they were denied of livelihood. I remember the sorry state of one Wallace Gichere, who despite all his struggles was only awarded Sh 9.4 million, against his claim of Sh 245 million,” said Khalwale.  Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi recounted the cruel treatment meted out to those suspected of complicity in the coup.