The calm in Mohamed Hassan Omar’s voice hides the storms he has survived. “As for me, I am still here. I am not going anywhere,” he said, his words carrying the quiet defiance of someone who has faced danger and refused to back down.
Mohamed describes Marsabit as a place where being a human rights defender means “expecting threats from every direction, community members, political leaders, security agencies, even peers.” He told Defenders Coalition of a time when he and another defender had to flee the county for nine days after receiving credible threats to their lives.
“We were exposed, vulnerable, and completely on our own,” he said, “but I wouldn’t quit my advocacy work.”
Advocacy, for Mohamed, is more than a calling; it is who he is. He is the founder and a member of the Northern Frontiers District Counties Human Rights Defenders, an accredited mediator, and the leader of the Centre for Research, Rights and Development (CRRD). Since 2019, he has also served as the chairperson of the Marsabit County Human Rights Defenders Network, which he established shortly after attending the HRD Academy in 2018.
Before joining the academy, Mohamed’s work was mainly focused on peacebuilding and humanitarian service. “I did not fully recognize it as human rights work,” he told Defenders Coalition. “The HRD Academy gave structure to my experiences, opened my eyes to the broader ecosystem of HRDs across the country, and provided me with tools to survive and thrive in a hostile environment.” He added that the sessions on safety, security, and well-being came at a critical time, as his personal security was constantly under threat.
After receiving further training on social accountability, Mohamed became deeply invested in using legal tools to expose the misuse of public resources. “I have submitted reports to oversight bodies on politically sensitive cases,” he said. “I know this attracts pressure and intimidation, but with the knowledge I gained, how to handle sensitive information, protect my communication, and move discreetly, I have managed to sustain my work.”
The ripple effects of his leadership have reached far beyond Marsabit. Through the county network, he has helped coordinate activities across northern counties and built strong collaborations with other defenders. As a member of the Court Users Committee, representing community and human rights organizations, Mohamed successfully pushed for four mobile courts, the ongoing construction of a High Court in Marsabit, and several other justice sector reforms.
Still, challenges persist. “The greatest barrier for defenders in this region is lack of resources,” he said. After the academy’s training on financial well-being and sustainability, Mohamed developed business plans for projects like a water scheme and a fuel station. “But without funding, they remain only on paper. This is a frustration many defenders share,” he told Defenders Coalition.
Even so, his resolve remains unshaken. “We are not fighting the system; we are holding it accountable,” he said. “We are challenging historical injustices, corruption, and impunity, even with limited support.”
Looking back, Mohamed said what stands out most from his time at the academy is the reminder that he is not alone. “There is a network of defenders across the country pushing back against injustice,” he said.
Through his words and work, Mohamed Hassan Omar embodies the resilience of Kenya’s human rights defenders; steadfast, unyielding, and ever present.