When Defenders Coalition met Omare Samuel, it was clear that his passion for human rights was as bold and expressive as his art.
“Art is the most powerful weapon a person can have,” he said, his voice steady with conviction.
Omare describes himself as a human rights defender, artist, family man, and community organizer from Kayole, Nairobi. His journey into activism, he told Defenders Coalition, was shaped by two key experiences: the absence of strong voices speaking on human rights issues in his community, and the tragic Garissa University attack, where he was studying analytics.
“Those moments changed everything,” he said. “I realized silence was no longer an option, even though I was timid and often intimidated by both community pressures and the police.”
In 2018, while still a student, Omare joined the Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Academy. That same year, he participated in the Emerging Voices Leadership Program and was nominated for the Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year award.
“The academy gave me knowledge, confidence, and courage,” he told Defenders Coalition. “I learned about physical and digital security, psycho-social support, mentorship, and the strength that comes from connecting with other HRDs.”
He credits the Academy for reshaping his approach to activism and giving him the confidence to stand firm against intimidation. “It helped me grow resilient,” he said.
With the foundation built at the Academy, Omare went on to establish the Wahenga Youth Group, a community-based organization dedicated to promoting human rights. Through the group, he began channeling his creativity into advocacy, using art to confront social injustices. “Together with other young people, we turned neglected public spaces into vibrant, green areas where art became a language of dialogue and change,” he shared.
The digital security lessons he gained have also had a lasting impact. “I now know how to recognize suspicious calls and links, and I practice safe communication online,” he said. “These are simple but vital practices I had never considered before.”
Before ending the conversation, Omare offered heartfelt advice to upcoming defenders:
“If anyone gets the opportunity to attend the HRD Academy, I urge them to embrace it fully. It offers not only practical skills but also growth, resilience, and clarity of purpose. You leave equipped and empowered to make real change.”
Through both his words and his art, Omare Samuel continues to prove that creativity and courage can together paint a powerful picture of justice and transformation.