On 15th June 2021, Defenders Coalition in conjunction with the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders in Kenya sent out a call for nominations for HRD Awards 2021 that ran until the 30th July 2021.

We are happy that we received 432 forms in which there were were individual nominations. Out of the 122 nominations received, 10 nominees were shortlisted for two categories as follows:

• Munir Mazrui LifeTime Achievement Award –  Nominees will be unveiled during the awarding ceremony
• Human Rights Defender of the Year Award – 5 Nominees
• Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year Award- 5 Nominees
• Global Solidarity Award – 2 Nominees

The HRDs represent 10 thematic areas which include:

1. Women Rights
2. SOGIE Rights
3. Sex Workers Rights
4. Civil and Political Rights
5. Land Rights
6. Right To Education
7. Indigenous Persons Rights
8. Artivists
9.  Environmental Rights
10. Social Justice Crusaders
11. Health rights

The nominees come from diverse thematic areas and also geographical locations. The nominees are drawn from 7 counties that include: Nairobi, Mombasa, Garissa, Nakuru, Isiolo, Kisumu, Lamu Counties.