In the heart of Kajiado County, where the vast landscapes and forests have been a source of life for generations, one man has taken on the role of protector—Sankara Nyagaya. As an environmental rights defender, Sankara’s passion for preserving the land and fighting for climate justice comes from a deep-rooted connection to his community and the natural world around him. For years, he’s been advocating for the protection of these spaces, ensuring that future generations will have a place to call home.

In December 2023, Sankara attended the Human Rights Defenders Academy, an experience that would transform his approach to advocacy. “I went in thinking I was just going to learn about environmental rights,” Sankara recalls, “but what I left with was so much more. The focus on mental health and well-being for human rights defenders, along with the training on cybersecurity, made me realize how important it is to protect not just the land, but myself and my work.”

Sankara had always been passionate about the environment, but after the Academy, he became even more determined to lead. With his newfound skills, he spearheaded a protest against the illegal encroachment of a gazetted forest block in Kajiado. “It wasn’t easy,” he admits. “But the training I received on environmental rights and the support from my community gave me the strength to stand up, speak out, and organize.”

The Academy didn’t just provide skills—it created a network of allies that Sankara continues to lean on. Shortly after the training, he partnered with Sophie Adhiambo from Natural Justice, whom he had met during the Climate Justice sessions at the Academy. Together, they started community dialogues on a critical issue facing Kajiado: the construction of a nuclear waste facility. “People were scared and confused about what was happening, but through the Academy’s network, we were able to organize, educate the community, and present a petition against the project,” Sankara shares.

For Sankara, the Academy’s impact wasn’t only in the skills or connections he gained but also in the moments of solidarity. “I remember the opening session clearly,” he reflects, “we all came together, people from all over Kenya, sharing our struggles and dreams. There was this collective energy, a feeling that we were all in this fight together. That sense of unity has stayed with me, and it keeps me going when the work gets hard.”

Sankara’s journey as a human rights defender is far from over. He continues to organize, to fight for the land that sustains his community, and to push back against powerful interests that threaten the environment. His leadership, inspired by the lessons and relationships formed at the HRD Academy, shows that one person, standing with their community, can make a difference. As he looks to the future, Sankara remains hopeful, knowing that the fight for climate justice is not just about protecting the land, but about ensuring that his community’s voice is heard, loud and clear.