Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has backed the establishment of a national compensation and reparations framework for victims of human rights violations, terming the process long overdue and critical to restoring justice for affected families.
Speaking during an iftar dinner hosted by the Orange Democratic Movement Youth League in Mombasa, the ODM Deputy Party Leader welcomed the recent communiqué by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights on the development of a structured reparations framework.
Nassir said many families, particularly in the Coast region, continue to suffer the lasting impact of past injustices, stressing that compensation must go beyond financial payouts.
“This process is both necessary and long overdue. For many families across the Coast, the pain of past violations remains fresh,” he said.
He added that a credible framework should incorporate broader measures including rehabilitation, truth-telling and guarantees of non-repetion.
"The acknowledgment by KNCHR that reparations must go beyond monetary compensation is an important and progressive step,” Nassir noted.
The Mombasa Governor reaffirmed ODM’s support for the initiative, emphasizing the need to ensure that victims are not excluded due to lack of information or access to justice systems.
“Access to justice must not be theoretical. It must be practical, accessible, and responsive to the realities of our people,” he said.
He revealed that ODM leadership in the Coast region will work closely with youth structures to support victims in filing claims and navigating the process.
“We will establish structured support mechanisms to assist victims and their families in lodging their claims with KNCHR,” he stated.
Nassir also raised concern over victims of protest-related violations, many of whom are young people, calling for targeted support to ensure their voices are heard.
“No Kenyan should be denied justice because they lack information, resources, or access,” he said.
At the same time, he urged the government to fast-track funding for the reparations programme, warning that delays could undermine public confidence.
"A credible reparations framework must be backed by adequate resources if it is to inspire public confidence and deliver meaningful outcomes,” he said.
