Nyayo house victims and survivors seek compensation from government

By Brigid Chemweno

Nairobi, Kenya: Victims and survivors of the infamous Nyayo House torture chambers together with their families have asked the government to compensate secondary victims who suffered due to unlawful detention and torture.

The victims and their families who congregated in Nyayo House torture chambers in a commemoration which was convened by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) gave their testimonies on how they were tortured and how their families were affected.

Wahinga Poore, a survivor testified that he was detained in the chambers when he was in Student Organization of Nairobi University (SONU) in 1988.

“We were unlawfully detained and tortured in the chambers a scenario which affected us psychologically and also affected our families,” said Poore.

The gathering broke into tears when some of the survivors were narrating how they were blindfolded, put into the waterlogged cells before they were stripped naked and taken to appear before the magistrate.

“I stayed for 32 days in total darkness where I was being given food after every four days.  We could not predict when we could get meals,” Added Poore.

The victims in line with Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) recommend that the president offers a public apology to all victims of torture and unlawful detention and acknowledge the role of the state in the design and use of the Nyayo House torture cells.

“The cabinet secretary responsible should fast track the consultations with the victims towards conversion of Nyayo House torture chambers into a memorial,” one of the victims added.

They said the state should commence a compensation scheme for all the victims and survivors especially those who succumbed to the torture and their cases have not been commenced.

They also called upon the chief justice to increase his efforts to dispense justice for those whose cases are pending in court.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the KNCHR, Patricia Nyaundi, who graced the commemoration in recognition of the victims and survivors, who were accompanied by their relatives said it was important to focus into the future and remember the past.

“As we focus into our future, we remember the past and especially the dark epochs so that our future generations will never be subjected to the kind painful ordeals which some of us went through,” said Nyaundi.

As a human rights institution, she said, they are concerned about historical injustices and are working closely with the victims and survivors towards a common destiny.

She added that they have engaged various victims and survivor’s groups’ dissemination of the TJRC report in over 28 counties targeting different categories of victims adding that the victims are ready to engage the state for recognition and compensation.

“This event is yet another milestone; we are able to hold a forum in a place where the yester year events were characterized with pain and depression,” she added.

Nyaundi said it was wise the commission created a platform for the victims to reflect through their testimonies, the dark past and also use the opportunity to reflect on the strategies which can help them demand justice.