Victims of 1992 crackdown win appeal, receive Sh15 million

Six individuals who were unlawfully arrested and assaulted by police officers during a 1992 protest have won an appeal and will receive Sh15 million in compensation.

The Court of Appeal ruled that their rights had been grossly violated by security agencies during the crackdown.

The victims; Irene Wambui, Gladys Thitu, Josphat Mbugua, Francis Ndegwa, Teresiah Njuguna, and Mary Njoroge—will each be awarded Sh2.5 million.

The ruling was delivered by Justices Daniel Musinga, Francis Tuiyott, and George Odunga, who found that the protesters had suffered severe mistreatment at the hands of General Service Unit (GSU) officers.

The six had taken to the streets in 1992, demanding the release of 54 political prisoners, including former Assistant Minister Koigi Wamwere.

They had gathered at Uhuru Park’s Freedom Corner for a peaceful demonstration when police violently dispersed them.

In their petition, filed in 2013, they recounted being brutally beaten and teargassed despite being unarmed.

Their case was initially dismissed by the High Court in 2017, with the judge ruling that there was insufficient evidence of pain and suffering.

The court also determined that being slapped, kicked, and beaten did not constitute torture.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned that decision, affirming that their treatment amounted to a serious violation of their constitutional rights.

The protesters had carried only clothes, blankets, water, Bibles, hymn books, and a tent donated by well-wishers, insisting they were exercising their right to peaceful assembly.

The ruling now acknowledges the harm inflicted on them and holds the state accountable for the abuses they suffered.